Periods of Music

The term “classical music” is a tricky thing to define because it depends on the people using the term. For most people, it is associated with old music ranging in time from the fifth century to the present time which can be performed on a single instrument up to a full orchestra of sixty or more instruments. “Classical music” can also describe one period during that span of time. Confused? Let me explain. 

Music, art, architecture, and more can be organized into different periods or time spans, and they are generally linked by certain qualities that they all use. Read more to learn about the different periods of music.

Medieval Period

The Dark Ages, the Medieval period, or even the Early Middle Ages, lasted a long time – from the fifth through the fourteenth centuries. Most people were farmers, craftsmen, or vendors, and they had very basic knowledge. They knew how to farm and build things like small buildings or barns, or tools they would need. They would grow or craft their goods to sell, and to barter or sell their goods (whether that was fruits, vegetables, meat, clothing, shoes, or other necessary goods). They looked to their leaders (a king, a lord, or even their priests) for guidance, answers, creating necessary documents, because the rich and those in the church were the ones able to access education and the ability to read and write. This article from Caltech tells more about the role of the nobility and the church. Most music of the time was heard in the church, in castles or palaces, or in the local taverns. 

Renaissance Period

The Renaissance Period was a time of rebirth during the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries. An invention around 1450 called the printing press gave everyone the ability to read books and learn, unlike previous times. Art and music flourished during this time and many famous musicians, like Josquin des Prez, John Taverner, Giovanni Gabrieli, and Tomas Luis de Victoria; and artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, and Jan van Eyck, are still well-known and highly regarded today. 

Baroque Period

Next came the Baroque Period, which is generally believed to be from 1600 to 1750, in which the music, art, and architecture were characterized as very ornate, grandiose, complex, and dramatic. Some famous artists and musicians from the time were Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, and George Frideric Handel. 

Classical Period

From 1750 through around 1820 there was the Classical Period (which explains the confusion). During this period, the emphasis in art music, and architecture was on organization, simplicity, and symmetry. Some notable names from this period are Jacques-Louis David, Antonio Canova, Henry Fuseli, Mozart, Beethoven, and Franz Joseph Haydn. 

Romantic Period

Following that time was the Romantic Period from 1820 until the late 1800s. Music, art, literature, and architecture again turned to more complexity, more emotionalism, more storytelling, nationalism, and more drama. Many names can be included here, but Charlotte Bronte, Alexandre Dumas, Eugene Delacroix, John Constable, Franz Liszt, and Tchaikovsky are just a few.

Twentieth Century

The final period of modern music is still going on. It is called Twentieth Century. This period has had many phases and changes, from art and music that lack definition (Claude Monet, Claude Debussy) to art and music that pushes boundaries of sound and subjects (Pablo Picasso, John Cage) and everything in between.  
  
The Music and Language Learning Center offers classes in music history of all these periods and even other styles of music like jazz and rock and roll. If you want to learn more about our course offerings at the Music & Language Learning Center, schedule a free consultation with us today!

April Tarantine

Writer
Music & Language Learning Center