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History of Song

By Zurgit
  • Period: 100 to 200

    Song in Antiquity (approx.)

    (These dates are 800-500BC)
    1. The Ancient Greek god of music was Apollo.
    2. Five different Ancient Greek instruments are the aulos, the lyre, the kithara, the lute and the drum.
    3. In Ancient Greece, music was used as a component of religious festivals, weddings, marriages, funerals and banquets; to connect with the gods; to keep rowers in time and to pipe to the sheep.
  • Period: 450 to Aug 15, 1450

    Songs of Wandering Minstrels

    1. Troubadours and jokers replaced the minstrels in the court.
    2. Minstrels were musicians and singers, whereas troubadours were performing poets who composed and sang.
    3. The wandering minstrels were very low class. They began travelling to get their music out.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1500 to

    Madrigal

    1. Madrigal music is secular vocal compositions, sung a capella. It belongs to the Renaissance and early Baroque periods, and usually consisted of poetry.
    2. The first madrigal musicians were native Florentines and Franco-Flemish musicians. However, the earliest detailed songs were written by Bernardo Pisano.
    3. Madrigal music was usually written about serious or tragic topics, and consisted of an irregular number of lines (about 7-11 syllables).

  • First Opera Performed

    1. The first opera was performed in 1598.
    2. Some performance aspects in opera are acting, singing, poetry, instruments and sometimes dancing. Opera also includes a lot of emotions such as anger, hurt and love, and these are expressed by the creation of an atmosphere and musical techniques that create suspense.
    3. One famous opera composer is Gioacchino Rossini.

  • Aria Begins

    1. Beethoven and Mozart are two famous aria composers.
    2. Aria music began in 1602 with the publication of Le Nuove Musiche by Giulio Caccini, and the most popular time for aria music was during the Baroque period.
    3. The term 'da capo' (which was common in arias because of the ABA form) instructs the performer to return to the beginning of the piece and repeat it.

  • Parlour Song Begins

    1. Parlour music appealed to middle-class people as many of them had a piano in their parlour and also because the music was not technically or musically demanding and therefore was good for amateur musicians and singers.
    2. Parlour music was spread as sheet music, and was also collected into anthologies (such as the collection Heart Songs).
    3. Parlour music began in 1790. Its peak was in the 19th century as it was during this time that many households had money for instruments and instruction.
  • Period: to

    Lieder

    1. Lieder music was mostly associated with the Romantic era, because it was written in this time and because Lieder was often about love and romance, themes common to the Romantic era.
    2. Lieder songs originated from Germany and were in German.
    3. Lieder songs expressed much emotion, usually to do with love.

  • Operetta Begins

    1. Operetta is also called 'light opera'.
    2. Offenbach opened his theatre in 1855.

  • Popera Begins

    1. Popera is also known as operatic pop. As shown in the name, it is a blend of pop music and opera that is performed operatically.
    2. The tempo of most popera music is medium, not too fast or too slow.
    3. Popera music builds up in a piece by gradually getting louder and more dramatic, leading up to a climactic ending.

  • Pop Music Begins

    1. The general format of a pop song was verse-chorus structure with repeated choruses, tunes and hooks.
    2. Some people who have been influential in pop music history are Elvis Presley, Madonna, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, and Michael Jackson. More modern influences are Britney Spears, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande.
    3. Pop music is significant in history because many people of all ages and cultures can relate to it because of the simple feelings expressed.

  • Rock 'n' Roll Begins

    1. Rock and roll took its name in the 1950s, although elements of it existed in blues and country music since the 1920s and 1930s.
    2. Elvis Presley is known as the King of Rock and Roll. He is regarded as the leading figure of rock and roll, and is one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.
    3. One of the first known songs from Rock and Roll is 'Rock Around the Clock' by Bill Haley, which topped the charts in 1955.