Grade

Music – Term
Name: ___________________ Date:___________

History of Music
Eras of the music

Medieval Age (400 – 1400)

Renaissance (1400 – 1600)

Baroque (1600 – 1750)

Classical (1750 – 1825)

Romantic (1825 - 1900)

Modern (1900 - Present)

 Grade
Music – Term
Name: ___________________ Date:___________

Music in the Middle Age (400 – 1400)

The medieval period is the longest and most remote

period of musical history. Gregorian chant was originally
sung in unisong by monks, but as time went on
additional parts were added and counterpoint evolved.
Secular music was provided by wandering minstrels.

Medieval characteristics
• During this period appeared the name of the musical notes.
• The note “DO” was called “UT”.
• Mostly monophonic music.
• Church music predominates.
• Beginning of counterpoint.
• Simple melodic lines in stepwise motion.
• Composed in modes.

Medieval instruments
• Harp.
• Voices.
• Organ.
 Grade
Music – Term
Name: ___________________ Date:___________

Music in the Renaissance (1400 – 1600)

Renaissance means “Rebirth” and refers to a renewed

interest in Classical learning at the time. Composers
wrote polyphonic, contrapuntal music for
unaccompanied choirs in a style that was ideally suited
to voices.

Joaquin De Prez Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina William Byrd

Renaissance characteristics
• Counterpoint and imitating.
• Unaccompanied part – singing.
• Chief forms: Mass, Madrigal, Motet.
• No separate instrumental idiom.
• Composed in modes.
Medieval instruments
• Viols.
• Voices.
• Lutes.
 Grade
Music – Term
Name: ___________________ Date:___________

Music in the Baroque Era (1600 – 1750)

In the Baroque Era, major and minor scales established.
Melody and bass became more significant than the inner
parts. A separate instrumental idiom developed. Word –
setting asumed a new importance. Composers enjoyed
playing with physical spaces using antiphony and echo
effects.

Johann Sebastian Bach Antonio Vivaldi George Frederich Haendel

Baroque characteristics
• Harpichord / Organ continuo.
• Major and minor scales established.
• Special effects and antiphonal writing.
• Blend of counterpoint and harmony
• Florid ornamentation.
• New forms: Ophera, Oratorio, Concerto Grosso.

Famous composers
• Johann Sebastian Bach (Germany).
• Antonio Vivaldi (Italy).
• George Frederich Haendel (Germany)
 Grade
Music – Term
Name: ___________________ Date:___________

Music in the Classical Period (1750 – 1825)

The classical period was an era of balance and order, a time
when a clear tonal hierarchy – especially the polarity of tonic
and dominant – influenced melody, harmony and form.
Composers wrote in short, periodic, articulated phrases that
were defined in simple cadences.

Joseph Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig van Beethoven

Classical characteristics
• Clear harmonic structure.
• Clearly – defined phrase structure.
• Sonata form developed.
• Tonic and Dominant pervaded all musical style.
• New forms: String quartets, Symphonies, Solo concertos.

Famous composers
• Joseph Haydn (Austria).
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Austria).
• Ludwig van Beethoven (Germany).
 Grade
Music – Term
Name: ___________________ Date:___________

Music in the Romantic Period (1825 – 1900)

The music of the Romantic period was emotional and
expressive. The language of classical music was developed and
extended chiefly under the influence of words. Romantic forms
expanded to several times the lenght of their classical models.
National styles developed. Composers became self –
employed.

F. Chopin J. Brahms P. I. Tchaikovsky Richard Wagner

Romantic characteristics
• Chromatic harmony.
• Programmes and word – based structures.
• Extra musical influences especially from painting and literature.
• Form was freer and tone colour richer.
• New forms: German lieds, song cycles, symphonic poems, virtuoso
concertos, music drama.
Famous composers • Hector Berliioz (France)
• Franz Schubert (Austria). • George Bizet (France).
• Johannes Brahms (Germany). • Robert Schuman (Germany).
• Frederich Chopin (Poland). • Antonin Dvorak (Czceh Republic).
• Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (Russia)
• Richard Wagner (Germany).
• Franz Liszt (Austria).
 Grade
Music – Term
Name: ___________________ Date:___________

Music in the Modern (20th Century) Period

(1900 – Present)
The 20th century was a time of experimentation and exploration in
music. Composers rejected the traditional grammar of music and
developed personal musical languages. New compositional techniques
were invented and composers incorporated into their styles elements
from folk music and the music of other cultures.

Gustav Mahler Igor Stravinsky Benjamin Britten John Williams

20th Century characteristics

• Highly chromatic and atonal music.
• Serialism.
• Electronic music.
• Expanded use of instruments and voices.
• Complex rhythms.
• New scales and modes.
Famous composers • Benjamin Britten (England).
• Gustav Mahler (Austria). • Arnold Schôenberg (Austria).
• Jean Sibelius (Finland).
• Claude Debussy (France).
• Maurice Ravel (France).
• Igor Stravinsky (Russia).