The music in the Baroque era is characterized by a predominantly polyphonic texture with frequent imitation between different lines. The soprano and bass lines are crucial, while chords became increasingly important during this time. In contrast to before, when they were a result of multiple melodic lines, chords became essential in their own right. This era witnessed the emergence of the modern orchestra, as well as opera, concerto, sonata, and cantata genres. Composers shifted their focus from choral music to composing instrumentals for various groups. Classical music began permeating society through outdoor performances, dinner parties, special events, or inclusion within operas. Handel’s “Messiah” serves as an exemplary representation of typical Baroque period music.
During the emergence of instruments, notable advancements occurred in various individual instruments. Among the newly introduced devices were the oboe, bassoon, cello, contrabass, and fortepiano. These new additions enhanced the string family by replacing it with more powerful sounds through the violin, viola, and cello. At the same time, existing woodwind and brass instruments underwent improvements. The popularity of the harpsichord increased during this period as well. Additionally, percussion instruments gained more strength with powerful additions like the timpani, snare drum, tambourine,and castanets. Composers who played a prominent role in the early Baroque era included Monteverdi, Scarlatti,and Purcell; however, later composers such as Bach,Händel Telemann,and Vivaldi also made substantial contributions to transitioning towards Classical music.
Classical music, which is also referred to as music from the Classical period, encompasses the time span of 1750 to 1820.
The Classical period was influenced by the Baroque period and introduced Sonata form. Composers used Sonata form in fast opening movements, slow middle movements, and fast concluding movements. Theme and Variations became popular as solo pieces and within larger compositions. Classical symphonies often included a third movement with Minuet and trio dances.
Minuets followed triple meter and had a moderate tempo, while trios were quieter with fewer instruments. Rondo Form emerged as a significant musical theme that recurred multiple times alongside other material. During this time, the concerto, symphony, trio, and quartet developed. Although no new major instruments were introduced, the piano replaced the harpsichord officially. Orchestras grew in size, range, and power while instruments had a lighter texture compared to Baroque music resulting in a simpler sound overall.
During this time, the polyphonic texture of music was replaced by simple harmonies and a tuneful melody. Classical compositions would also incorporate various rhythmic patterns, such as unexpected pauses, syncopations, and frequent shifts from long notes to shorter ones.
Although the texture of music during this period was primarily homophonic, it was just as flexible as rhythm. A composition might start with a straightforward melody and chords, then transition into a more intricate polyphonic texture where two melodies were played simultaneously, with fragments imitated among the instruments.
The melodies in the classical era were both melodic and memorable, as composers aimed to express a wide range of emotions through dynamics. Consequently, gradual changes in dynamics became widely utilized. The emergence of symphonies as orchestral music was a significant contribution during this period. Moreover, chamber music gained popularity and was specifically created for intimate settings like rooms in homes or palaces rather than large concert halls. Piano trios and string quintets were also favored musical forms at that time. Renowned composers from this era include Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, and Mozart.
The era of Romanticism, which spanned from 1820 to 1900, was a notable period for artistic and intellectual expression.
Beethoven and Schubert played a significant role in connecting the Classical and Romantic periods of music. In this transitional phase, Classical music embraced heightened intensity and expression, gradually departing from rigid structures to incorporate more emotionally charged and dramatic compositions. This shift celebrated emotions, imagination, and individuality as a rejection of neo-classicism and the age of reason. The natural world held immense importance across all art forms, captivating Romantics with themes such as fantasy, the unconscious mind, irrationality, and the realm of dreams. Both composers aimed to create distinctive music reflective of their personal style.
During this era, known as the Romantic period, program music emerged as a prominent form of instrumental music. Composers prioritized timbre, utilizing vibrant and exhilarating sounds to create a diverse range of moods and atmospheres. They also incorporated a more intricate harmonic structure called chromatic harmony, employing chords that included tones not traditionally found in major or minor scales. Symphonies became lengthier, while shorter compositions sometimes lasted only a few minutes. Art songs flourished and took on various forms. The strophic form, featuring multiple stanzas with the same music repeated for each verse, facilitated easy memorization of songs. On the other hand, through-composed forms allowed composers to create new music for each stanza in order to reflect the changing emotions of the poem. A modified strophic form was also utilized, typically consisting of a three-stanza poem in an ABA structure where two stanzas were repeated. Lastly, the Song Cycle emerged, where songs were grouped together and unified by a continuous storyline. Instrumentation played an increasingly significant role, with orchestras expanding in size to accommodate this trend. Composers embraced experimentation by exploring novel combinations of instruments and pushing the boundaries of harmony.
During the Romantic period, public concerts and operas became accessible to the urban middle-class instead of being exclusive to royalty. Additionally, national music schools were established during this era. It was during this time that several renowned composers emerged including Berlioz, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Wagner.
To summarize, I have acquired extensive knowledge about the history, theory, and genres of music from medieval times to the romantic period through completing weekly readings, quizzes, and tests in the electronic textbook. At first, my expectations for this class were unclear; however, now that the semester has ended, I am thankful that I enrolled. The significance of music in my life will always be substantial, and comprehending its evolution from past to present is genuinely priceless.
