Music History A brief overview
The Baroque Era (1600-1750) • Highly decorative and elaborate music and art • Music is ornamented and improvised • Orchestras begin to form • Opera is invented • Music is written for nobility and for the church – not for the common folk • The aim of the arts is to express emotion • Harpsichord is the most popular keyboard instrument Listen: Bach’s Toccata in D minor
Going on in the world. . . • 1608 – Scientific discoveries such as the telescope cause people to question mysteries of the universe • 1620 – the pilgrims arrive in America • 1626 – New York is discovered
The Classical Era (1750-1800) • Classical Greek ideals of logic, perfect form, balance, simple expression and emotional control influences all the arts, including music. • Music is written primarily for entertainment or for amateur performers • Common people begin attending concerts • The symphony (a large multi-movement composition for orchestra) makes its first appearance • Keyboard sonatas and sonatinas rise in popularity • Music is simpler and less ornamented than baroque music • Piano surpasses the harpsichord as the most popular keyboard instrument Listen: Mozart’s “Rondo Alla Turca ”
Going on in the world. . . • 1776 – Declaration of Independence in America • Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions • Benjamin Franklin discovers electricity
The Romantic Era (1800-1900) • Personal feelings are expressed in music • Emotions are valued over reason • Composers write for the public and the new middle class, not for patrons • The piano evolves into a powerful, extremely popular instrument • Smaller pianos available and affordable for people’s homes • Greater freedom of musical form • Forms such as the symphonic poem and the art song (German Lied) appear • The age of grand opera Listen: Franz Liszt’s “Transcendental Etude No. 2”
Going on in the world. . . • Queen Victoria comes to the throne in Great Britain • The rubber band, the typewriter, and Coca-Cola are invented • 1861-1865 American Civil War • 1885 The Statue of Liberty is erected
The Modern Era (1900-present) • Science and technology begin to influence society and the arts. • Composers explore many new ideas • Impressionism (a style of music popularized by Claude Debussy) appears • Jazz and Broadway music influence classical composers • Musicians and composers are exposed to art and music from different cultures • Synthesized and electronic music comes onto the scene Listen: Debussy’s “Golliwog’s Cakewalk”
Going on in the world. . . • First and Second World Wars • The Great Depression • Jazz, Rock & Roll, R & B, and rap all appear as musical styles throughout the 20 th century • Space exploration begins • The world enters the computer age • The iPhone and the internet are invented
Click here for a fun video of “The Evolution of Music”
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