Periods of Classical Music Classical Music is art music rooted in the traditions of Western Music. Baroque and Classical

Baroque 1600 - 1750

The Baroque Period Instrumental music became dominant in the Baroque, and most of the major music forms we know of today were defined. Counterpoint was one of the major forces in both the instrumental and the vocal music of the period; in counterpoint two melodies that were equally beautiful but had different rhythms could be played or sung at the same time and sound good together. Example: Bach Counterpoint Although a strong religious musical tradition continued, secular music came to be nearly as common. Much of Baroque music was designed for improvisation.

Notable Events The idea of the modern orchestra was born, along with opera, the concerto, sonata, and cantata, as well as other forms. Extensive ornamentation was prominent. The viol of the Renaissance was replaced with the violin, viola, and cello, and later the contrabass may have been added.

Instruments The fortepiano (a precursor to the piano), the chalumeau (precursor to the clarinet), and eventually the clarinet, and bassoon were invented. Chalumeau Baroque Bassoon & Modern Bassoon. > Clarinet 1760 Fortepiano

The Recorder Recorders have been in use since before the Renaissnace period, when they gained great popularity. In the Baroque period the recorder underwent some changes to make the tone sweeter, and this is where we get the modern recorders that students learn in school.

Composers Johann Sebastian Bach George Frideric Handel Georg Philipp Telemann Antonio Vivaldi

The Classical Period 1750-1825

The Classical Period Classical music is less complicated than Baroque music and is characterized by homophony, where two or more parts move together in harmony, or by an obvious melody with an accompaniment. Classical composers put an emphasis on clarity and on form, and music followed strict guidelines. The harpsichord was replaced by the piano, and instrumental music was emphasized over choral music. The makeup of the orchestra became standardized, partially due to Beethoven’s influence and the musicians he called for in his writing.

Instruments The piano came into wide use, replacing the harpsichord, and the French horn was given a key system and began to resemble the modern French horn of today. The serpent (horn) was replaced by the ophicleide, which was a precursor to the tuba.

Notable Composers Joseph Haydn And Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig van Beethoven Franz Schubert transitioned from classical into the Romantic Period and so are considered part of both periods.

Need to Know Approximate time periods The piano came into use in classical period Classical music is less complicated than Baroque What period Bach and Handel are in (Baroque). What period Haydn and Mozart are from (Classical) What two periods Beethoven is in (Classical and Romantic) What homophony is (two parts that move together) The orchestra became standardized in the Classical period, mostly through Beethoven’s influence. Order: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical.