History of Music in 60 minutes
Just a quick introduction to the eras and composers of classical music. Perhaps you could google some of these famous names to find out more about them and their music,
Medival – 800 to 1400
Léonin, Pérotin, Philippe de Vitry, Guillaume de Machaut.
Plainsong, Gregorian Chant (a type of Plainsong), Organum, Liturgical drama/Religious drama, Troubadour songs
Tallis, Dowland, Palestrina
Robin Hood (men in tights!), Lutes, recorders, Lots of Singing, Madrigals (“fa la la la la” chorus, Viols, Consort instruments, Lute Song
Mass, Motet – sung in Latin
Baroque – 1600 to 1750
Purcell, Bach, Vivaldi, (The Four Seasons) Handel (Messiah) Counterpoint, HARPSICHORD, the music is very ornate and intricate, vocal music is often religious. The piano is not invented yet.
The Fugue, Concerto Grosso, Opera, Oratorio, Passion, The Suite
Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Symphony – Orchestra, the piano is invented. Music is very formal and structured – think of architecture – everything is in the correct place. Clear tune/accomp. The birth of the piano.
The Sonata, Symphony, Concerto, Opera.
Romantic 1820 – 1900
Berlioz, Chopin , Schubert, expressing human emotion, feelings, moods, music often told stories and had programmes. Large Orchestra – lots of instruments, lots of vibrato – saxophone may appear. The development of the piano.
Composers stop being owned by people – freedom – loads of dynamics
Stravinsky, Britten, Copland, Cage – Experimentation – breaking rules, dissonance. Sounds very weird, Electronics – Jazz, Pop, Rock, Latin American, Folk music (Scottish – Reel, Strathspey, Jig), Caribbean (Calypso), Blues, R&B, Ragtime, Gamelan, Rap