1. Music History and Composer Study
Spring 2015
Lake Nona MS
Ms. Hobbs

2. Introduction
Music has been a part of culture for thousands of years. It has evolved over time to have a variety of sounds and uses.
People who study music have divided history into SIX general time periods of music.
Each time period has certain characteristics and composers that help define their era.

3. The six time periods are (in chronological order):
Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century (Modern)

4. Medieval (500-1400) Most medieval music was vocal.
Any instrumental music was usually folk-like and social
The church was an important place for musicians

5. Medieval (500-1400) Gregorian Chant
Originally created and sung in monasteries by monks.
Chants were religious, often psalms or scripture.
Named after Pope Gregory the Great.

6. Renaissance ( )

7. Rebirth and Re-discovery
Art and music become more important in society
Renaissance fairs are held today, and are a spectacle of art, music, and theatre.
Time of Christopher Columbus, Leonardo da Vinci, and Shakespeare

8. Giovanni da Palestrina (1525-1594)
Italian composer of sacred music
He greatly influenced the music of the Catholic Church. (He wrote over 100 masses!)
One of the first well-known composers of polyphonic music (music with harmonies)

9. Missa Papae Marcelli Pope Marcellus Mass
Pope Marcellus Mass by Pro Cantione Antiqua
Composed in honor of Pope Marcellus II
Written for six a capella voices – SATTBB (Soprano and Alto parts were not sung by women!)
Like all masses, consists of multiple movements (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei)

10. Baroque ( )

11. Baroque Characteristics
The Baroque period was a time of extravagance in all forms. Art, music, and architecture reflect a new sense of drama and excess.
Instrumental music becomes more important.
Music in general continues to be more expressive, less tied to religion.

12. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Born in Germany to a musical family
Played many instruments, but was considered a virtuoso on the organ
Church musician throughout his life. Composed an enormous amount of music for the church.
Had 20 children!

13. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
Written by Bach for his most beloved instrument
A toccata is a composition written for a keyboard instrument composed in a ‘free style’ (no set structure).
A fugue is a very structured piece that repeats one particular theme/melody many times throughout, harmonized with different melodies.

14. George F. Handel ( )
Originally studied law because his father did not approve of his son becoming a full-time musician.
Lived in Germany, Italy, and England at different times in his life and composed in German, Italian, and English

15. Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
Part of an oratorio (a musical work written for chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra). Often with a religious text.
Most often performed during the Christmas season.
King George II stood upon hearing its magnificence; many audiences still stand today.

16. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Spring from The Four Seasons
Italian composer, also ordained as a priest. Because of this and his fiery red hair, he was nicknamed ‘The Red Priest’
Spring from The Four Seasons
Violin Concerto
A concerto is a musical work for solo instrument, often accompanied by an orchestra Po

17. Classical
( )

18. The Classical Time Period
Music becomes more formalized, structured, and ‘classical’ in the sense of the word as we use it today
The orchestra as we know it today begins to form in terms of instrumentation and size
The American Revolution takes place during this period

19. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Child musical prodigy from Austria.
Wrote his first composition at the age of 5, and his first symphony at the age of 8!
A symphony is a large-scale composition usually with 3-4 movements. Almost always performed by an orchestra.

20. Eine kleine nachtmusik
‘A Little Night Music’ or ‘A Little Serenade’
Written for string chamber ensemble of full orchestra
Four movements:
I. Allegro
II. Romanze: Andante
III. Menuetto: Allegretto
IV. Rondo: Allegro

21. Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
German composer
Began losing his hearing at the age of 20, and eventually became completely deaf.
Wrote 9 symphonies
His music is thought to be a sort of transition from the Classical period to the Romantic period

22. Symphony no. 5 Four movement symphony written for orchestra
I. Allegro con brio
II. Andante con moto
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Allegro
One of the best known symphonies of all time
First four notes are very memorable and reappear throughout the piece (BABABABAAAA)

23. Bonus! Symphony no. 9 Beethoven’s last completed symphony “Ode to Joy”
Performed by orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists. Symphony no. 9 is the first major example of a composer using voices in a symphony
Composed when Beethoven was completely deaf

24. Romantic
( )

25. Romantic Characteristics
Music in the Romantic era was more expressive, emotional, and reflective.
Composers began to let go of some of the strict structure of the Classical era
Music becomes more available to the common person (not as many “royalty-only” performances)

26. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Composer from Germany.
Wrote vocal and instrumental music.
Though he was a musician his whole life, he achieved little success until he was 40 years old.
He was a perfectionist, and was known to destroy pieces that he did not deem good enough

27. Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, Gute Nacht
Widely known as ‘Brahms’ Lullaby’. Literal translation from German to English is ‘Lullaby: Good Evening, Good Night’
Performed by only piano and solo voice
A melody known around the world
One of Brahms’ most simple compositions, though arguably his most famous

28. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Composer from Russia
Composed mostly orchestral music
Thought of as the first Russian composer to be known and loved internationally
Helped create and popularize the Russian classical sound
Composed the suites for the famous ballets The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty

29. The Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker is a ballet suite. The story of the ballet is taken from E.T.A. Hoffman’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
Performed by orchestra
Most often performed during the Christmas season
Premiered in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia