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Period: 500 to Nov 19, 1400
Medieval
-The term Renaissance means "rebirth"
-Renaissance Musicians Believed that music could sway emotions and effect the behaviour of the audience.
-Vocal music was more important than instrumental music.
-Considered to be sacred music
-Often used “word painting” to represent poetic images.
-Popular music of the Renaissance period was dance music. -
Period: Nov 18, 1450 to
Renaisannce
-Music still based on modes
-Richer texture in four or more parts. Bass part is added below the tenor.
-Blending rather than contrasting strands in the musical texture.
Harmony. Greater concern with the flow and progression of chords.
-Church music. Mainly contrapuntal. Lots of imitation.
-Secular music. There was lots of vocal pieces and dances, and lots of instrumental pieces. Vocal music was by far the more important.
-Specific tone colour in instruments -
Period: to
Baroque
-The Basso Continuo (Figured Bass).
-One mood throughout the entire piece.
-Important String sections.
-Modes were replaced by the Major/Minor key system.
-Many different forms are used (e.g. Binary, Fugue)
-Many types of music, e.g. The Chorale, Opera, the Dance Suite.
-Energetic rhythms (Exuberance), long melodies, many ornaments, -contrasts (especially dynamics, but also in timbres)
- There was a GCSE -
Period: to
The Classical Period
-Melody was short and clearly defined musical phrases with 2 or more contrasting themes.
-Rhythm was very defined and regular.
-Mostly homophonic texure
-Symphony orchestra - arranged in 4 sections
-Harpsichord seldom used. Piano in use but not normally in
orchestral music.
-Choral music - sacred mass and oratorio
-Chamber music - trios, quartets, quintets.
-Greater range of dynamics.
-Sonata form, rondo form, fugue, minuet and trio form. -
Period: to
The Classical Period
-Freedom of form and design. It was more personal and emotional.
-Song-like melodies (lyrical), as well as many chromatic harmonies and discords.
-Dramatic contrasts of dynamics and pitch.
-Big orchestras, due mainly to brass and the invention of the valve.
-Wide variety of pieces
-Programme music (music that tells a story)
-Shape was brought to work through the use of recurring themes.
-Great technical virtuosity.
-Nationalism (a reaction against German influence) -
Period: to
Twentieth Century
-Modernism, impressionism, post-romanticism, neoclassicism, expressionism, minimalism were all important movements
-Jazz was an important influence
-Electronic music, choral music, songs, operas, ballets, concertos, symphonies
-Rhythm became more developed as it was complex and irregular
-The growing capabilities of recording technology changed the way musicians created music and made a living.