A Guide to the Classical Music Eras

Join us as we explore the different Classical Music Eras – from the Medieval Period to the modern day. Discover which composers wrote during which era, and learn about the defining characteristics of each one.

The Baroque Era (1600-1750)

The Baroque era was a time of great change for music. The invention of the printing press, opera, and the concerto grosso were just a few of the innovations that took place during this time. The Baroque era was also a time of great master composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel.

Major Composers of the Baroque Era

Many of the greatest composers of all time lived and worked during the Baroque period. This was a time when music was everywhere, with new styles and forms being developed all the time. The following list includes some of the most important composers of the Baroque era, along with a few facts about their lives and work.

-Johann Sebastian Bach: Bach was a German composer and organist who is widely considered to be one of the greatest composers of all time. He wrote over 1,000 pieces of music, including some of the most famous works in classical music history.

-George Frideric Handel: Handel was a German-born composer who later moved to England. He is best known for his operas and oratorios, many of which are still performed today. His most famous work is the Messiah, which is still hugely popular around Christmas time.

-Domenico Scarlatti: Scarlatti was an Italian composer who is best known for his keyboard music. He wrote over 555 pieces for harpsichord or piano, many of which are still played today.

-Arcangelo Corelli: Corelli was an Italian violinist and composer who is best known for his instrumental music. He helped to develop the sonata form, which would become one of the most important forms in classical music.

The Characteristics of Baroque Music

The Baroque period of music history extends from approximately 1600 to 1750. The word “baroque” comes from the Portuguese word barroco, meaning “misshapen pearl.” Although we now use the term “baroque” to describe a period in music history, it originally referred to an adjective used to describe art and architecture of the time. Later, the term became associated with a period in music history characterized by certain musical elements.

Some musical elements that are typically found in baroque music include:
-Keyboard instruments, such as the harpsichord and organ, are prominent.
-Melodies are often ornate, with many embellishments such as trills and turns.
-Harmonies are usually three- or four-part chords.
-Basses often move in short, repeating patterns called basso continuo or figured bass.
-The use of counterpoint is common, which is the simultaneous use of two or more melodic lines.
-Certain musical forms are associated with the Baroque period, such as the concerto grosso, fugue, and anthem.

The Classical Era (1750-1820)

The Classical Era was a time of great change and transformation. The Industrial Revolution had begun, and with it, a new age of science and progress. This was reflected in the music of the time, which was more light-hearted and optimistic than the music of previous eras.

Major Composers of the Classical Era

During the Classical era, there were many composers who made significant contributions to the genre. Here are a few of the most important:

-Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Arguably the most famous composer of all time, Mozart was a child prodigy who went on to write some of the most beloved pieces in the classical repertoire. His works are marked by their beauty, elegance, and emotional depth.
-Joseph Haydn: Haydn was a major figure in the development of classical music, and his works laid the foundation for many of Mozart’s later compositions. He was also a highly respected teacher, and his pupils included some of the greatest composers of the next generation.
-Ludwig van Beethoven: A contemporary of Mozart’s, Beethoven was one of the first composers to break away from the confines of classical form and style. His music is characterized by its intensity and emotional power, as well as its innovative use of tonality and harmony.

The Characteristics of Classical Music

During the Classical era, music became more complex in both structure and emotional range. composers were striving to increase the emotional range and power of their music while still maintaining the clarity of the form. The main characteristic of the Classical style is balance. This can be seen in the use ofOnline Library of Libertyharmonies and melody along with rhythm. The use of counterpoint was also increased during this time as well.

While there was still a place for grandiosity and emotional extremes, much of the music from this era is restrained and restrained. This is due in part to the public’s reaction to the excesses of last century’s Baroque style. The average listener now wanted music that was understandable and had a degree of accessibility.

One of the most important aspects of this new era was the increased importance placed on melody. In previous eras, harmony had been king, but now composers were writing tunes that were memorable and singable. This placed a new emphasis on the role of the soloist, and instrumental works began to feature more prominently than ever before.

The Romantic Era (1820-1910)

The Romantic Era was a time where emotion and imagination were highly valued. This is reflected in the music of the time, which was often very expressive and passionate. Many of the great composers of the Romantic Era, such as Chopin and Tchaikovsky, were known for their beautiful and emotional melodies.

Major Composers of the Romantic Era

Major composers of the Romantic Era include:
-Frédéric Chopin
-Robert Schumann
– Felix Mendelssohn
– Giuseppe Verdi
-Richard Wagner

The Characteristics of Romantic Music

The Romantic Era in music is conventionally said to have lasted from about 1815 to 1910. This puts it between the Classical period and the Modern period. The “Characteristics of Romantic Music” below are generally true of music written in the Romantic Era. But always remember, composers are individuals, not robots, and they often break the “rules.”

-The characteristics of Romantic music evolved from those of the late 18th-century classical period.
-Composers sought to express their emotions and personal feelings rather than simply following fashions or academic rules.
-They used more unusual harmonic progressions than those found in earlier music, as well as greater chromaticism (more notes—often far apart—from the scale being used).
-Rhythm became freer and compositions often were through-composed (not divided into separate sections).
-Genres such as the symphony, concerto and sonata continued to be composed, but new ones also appeared during this period, such as the nocturne (a short piano piece inspired by Chopin), lieder (German art songs), mazurkas (Polish folk dances) and waltzes.
-Quotation—using a theme or melody from another work—became popular. An early example is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, which quotes parts of a choral work he had written earlier.
-Programmatic titles such as symphonies “Pastoral” or “From the New World” became common (a program was a written description of what a piece of music was supposed to represent). Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique tells the story of an artist who poisons himself with opium after being rejected by his true love and has a series of wild hallucinations in which he imagines his own funeral, among other things!
-New instruments were invented or existing ones improved during this period: The harmonic pedal was added to the piano; valves were added to brass instruments; and the saxophone was invented (by Adolphe Sax).