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325
Beginnings of Music 325-599
Constantine declares Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. The spread of Christianity in the western world spurred the development of European music. -
Jan 1, 600
Catholic Music 600-850
Pope Gregory the Great codifies and collects the chant, which is used in Roman Catholic services and is named the Gregorian chant in his honor. Western music begins to move from mono-phony to polyphony with the vocal parts in church music moving in parallel intervals. -
Jan 1, 851
"Love Singers.” 851-1180
Guido of Arezzo, an Italian monk, develops a system for learning music by ear. Voice students often use the system, called solfège, to memorize their vocal exercises. In the 19th century, solf ège developed into the tonic sol-fa system used today. Troubadours appear in Germany and call themselves minnesingers, “singers about love.” -
Jan 1, 1200
The Renaissance Begins 1200-1600
This rebirth favors the simplistic virtues of Greek and Roman Classic styles, moves from polyphony to one harmonized melody and sees the increased importance and popularity of secular music. Josquin Desprez, often called the Prince of Music, is a leading composer of the Renaissance -
The Baroque Period 1607-1689
Characterized by strict musical forms and highly ornamental works, begins in Europe. This period signals the end of the Renaissance. The first comic opera, Chi Soffre Speri by Virgilio Mazzocchi and Marco Marazzoli, premieres in Rome. Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel are born. They become principal classical composers of the Baroque period. Bach, who fathers 20 children, explores musical forms associated with the church and Handel works as a dramatic composer. -
Mozart's Music 1703-1797
Bach dies. The end of the Baroque period is often seen in conjunction with his death. The highly ornate style of the Baroque period gives rise to the more simple, clarified styles of the Classical period, which sees the emergence of symphonies and string quartets. Mozart's Don Giovanni debuts in Prague. -
Beethoven and Thomas Edison Era 1803-1896
Beethoven produces his third symphony, Eröica. This piece marks the beginning of the Romantic period, in which the formality of the Classical period is replaced by subjectivity.Thomas Edison invents sound recording. Camille Saint-Saën's Samson et Dalila debuts in Weimar. He patents the phonograph. -
Jazz & Blues 1902-1954
“Queen of the Blues” Bessie Smith records her first song, “Down Hearted Blues,” which becomes an immediate success. Jazz composer Duke Ellington writes “It Don't Mean a Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing,” a song that presaged the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. -
Important Characters in Music 1958-1969
Elvis Presley is inducted. Frank Sinatra wins his first Grammy Award . A wave of Beatlemania hits the U.K. The Beatles, a British band composed of John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, take Britain by storm.Folk musician Bob Dylan becomes increasingly popular during this time of social protest with songs expressing objection to the condition of American society. -
"The Disco Era" 1970-1980
Saturday Night Fever sparks the disco inferno. Elvis Presley dies at Graceland, his Memphis, Tenn. home. He was 42. John Lennon of the Beatles shot dead in New York City. -
Pop Music Icons 1981-1991
Michael Jackson releases Thriller. MTV goes on the air running around the clock music videos. Madonna launches her first road show, the Virgin Tour. CDs outsell vinyl records for the first time. Seattle band Nirvana releases the song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on the LP Nevermind and enjoys national success. -
Hip Hop and iTunes 1995-2007
Janet Jackson becomes the highest-paid musician in history when she signs an $80-million deal with Virgin Records.Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra dies of a heart attack at age 82. Apple Computer introduces Apple iTunes Music Store, which allows people to download songs for 99 cents each. -
The last good bye to our Music Idols 2007-2013
Michael Jackson, the pop icon, dies suddenly in Los Angeles, California, on June 25, 2009, of cardiac arrest. Troubled singer Amy Winehouse dies on July 23 after a very public battle with drug and alcohol abuse. One of the biggest pop singing sensations of all-time, Whitney Houston, is found dead in her room at the Beverly Hills Hilton -
Music of our Era 2013-Present Time
Many new genre combinations and duets, Lady Gaga and Beyonce for example; who remain in the top charts of Billboard.. Advance in technology with smartphones and making societies less sociable.
