Periods of Musical History

Medieval (pre 1500)

• Very simple musical structures
• Very little music was written down
• Most music was performed by troubadors
• Mostly monophonic
• Simple rhythms based on speech

Renaissance (1500-1650)

• Contrapuntal music was introduced
• Lots of imitation
• Use of modes
• Mainly polyphonic
• Usually performed by instruments of the same family

Baroque (1650-1750)

• Full of ornaments and decoration
• Use of antiphonal effects
• Use of terraced dynamics
• Often accompanied by a harpsichord
• The birth period of the modern orchestra

Classical (1750-1810)

• Music in regular length phrases
• Harmony concentrates around the tonic and dominant
• Famous composers include Mozart, Beethoven and Hadyn
• Genres of the period include symphony, concerto, string quartet and opera

Romantic (1810-1900)

• More instruments used and larger orchestra
• Variety in harmonics including dischords
• Some music used to tell stories or create emotions
• Famous composers include Tchaicovsky, Shubert and Verdi
• Contrasts in dynamics, instruments, and pitch

Modern (1900-present)

• Complete dissolution of harmony
• The combinations of instruments became more varied
• Composers became more aware of their national heritage
• Composers include Elgar, Schönenberg and Stravinsky