Periods of Music

Periods of Music

(All dates are approximate.)

Time Line

400-1400

Middle Ages

The Renaissance period were mostly masses and motets, with some other developments toward the end, such as the madrigale spirituale, and the laude. As well as a few other generes.

"Baroque" is a term from art history, that was derogatory at first. It means strange, distorted, extravagant, etc. It is heavely arnamented music. Harpsicord is a dead give away.

The 20th Century was about Impressionism and Modernism. Impressionism is all about ambiguity, light, and atmosphere. Modernism in music is atonality or modality, it uses alternative scales, rhythmic complexity, melodic unpredictability, bigger orchestras, and electronics.

Also known as the Romantic period, the 19th Century had a theme of Love, passion to excess, exoticism, nature, super natural and Shakespeare. "Music: perfect embodiment of romanticism." - C. F. Hoffmann

Medieval music was both sacred and secular. This period includes Gregorian chant, Ars nova, Organum, Motet, Madrigal, Canon (music), and Ballata.

1400-1600

Renaissance

1600-1750

Baroque

1750-1800

1800-1900

Classical

19th Century

1900-2000

2000-Present

20th Century

21st Century

The Classical period was the mature styles of Haydn & Mozart. It was an analogy to Greek & Roman art. This was the start of symphonies, sonatas, string quartets and the concerto.

The 21st Century music is also known as contemporary classical music. This is post-modern music.