A Brief History of Instrumental Music

A look at the history of instrumental music and how it has evolved over the years.

The Origins of Instrumental Music

Instrumental music has its origins in the ancient world. The first instruments were probably drums and other percussion instruments, and the first music was probably made by banging on rocks and sticks. The first stringed instruments were probably the bow and the harp, and the first wind instruments were probably made from hollowed-out logs.

Ancient Greece

One of the earliest forms of instrumental music can be traced back to Ancient Greece. The word orchestra originally comes from the Greek word “orkheistra”, meaning a place for dancing. The orchestra in Ancient Greece would have consisted of a chorus of singers accompanied by a variety of instruments, including the lyre, flute, and trumpet. These instruments were often used to accompany religious ceremonies or special events such as weddings or funerals.

The development of instrumental music in Ancient Greece was closely tied to the development of drama. In fact, many of the great works of Ancient Greek drama were written with specific parts for instrumentals. For example, the playwright Aeschylus wrote plays that included parts for an instrumental band called a kythara. This band would have consisted of a lyre, a flute, and a percussion instrument called a tympanum.

The popularity of instrumental music in Ancient Greece continued into the Roman period. Roman writers such as Pliny the Elder and Vitruvius discuss a wide variety of musical instruments that were popular during this time. These include the flute, the trumpet, and the drums.

Instrumental music continued to be popular throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. During these times, instruments such as the violin, guitar, and keyboard became increasingly common. This led to the development of new genres of instrumental music such as sonatas and concertos.

The Roman Empire

For most of the history of instrumental music, there have been three major types of instruments: woodwinds, brass, and strings. Woodwind instruments are made of wood or reed and produce sound when the player blows air into or over the instrument. Examples include flute, clarinet, and saxophone. Brass instruments are made of metal and produce sound when the player blows air into or over the instrument. Examples include trumpet, trombone, and tuba. String instruments are made of gut or metal strings that are stretched over a resonator box or frame. The player produces sound by plucking or bowing the string. Examples include violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

The Roman Empire was one of the first societies to have a large number of brass and string instruments playing together in ensembles. In addition to playing in military bands, these instruments were used for entertainment purposes in theatres and at public events such as chariot races. The popularity of instrumental music in the Roman Empire helped to spread it throughout Europe and Asia during the Middle Ages.

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages were a time of great change for instrumental music. The fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century led to the rise of Christianity and the subsequent decline of classical civilization in Europe. This resulted in a period of economic and political instability that lasted for centuries. During this time, the only music that was truly “instrumental” was functional music played on simple instruments like flutes and hornpipes.

It wasn’t until the twelfth century that we see the first signs of true instrumental music emerging from the darkness of the Middle Ages. The invention of the organ in the early 1100s gave musicians a new way to create complex harmonies and melodies, and by the end of the century, organs were being built into churches all over Europe. Around this same time, we see the first examples of secular instrumental music in the form of dance tunes played on instruments like fiddles, guitars, and lutes.

As we move into the fourteenth century, we see a further development of instrument-based music with the emergence of Consorts – groups of instruments that were played together for pleasure rather than for utility. The most popular instrument in these Consorts was definitely the lute, which became increasingly popular throughout Europe during this time period. By 1400, there were literally thousands of songs being written for solo lute, many of which have survived to this day.

The fifteenth century is often seen as a “Golden Age” for instrumental music, as it saw an explosion in both composition and performance. New instruments like violas and rebecs (a type of fiddle) were introduced, and new genres like motets (sacred vocal pieces with instrumental accompaniment) and madrigals (secular vocal pieces with Instrumental accompaniment) became extremely popular. This was also a time when professional musicians began to emerge – men (and occasionally women) who made their living playing music instead of working some other type or trade.

The sixteenth century was yet another period of great change for instrumental music. The invention of polyphony (multiple voices singing different tunes at the same time) created new possibilities for composers, and polyphonic pieces quickly became some of the most popular works written during this time period. Unfortunately, polyphony also created new opportunities for composers to make mistakes – something that became all too common as composers tried to write ever more complex pieces with more voices interacting with each other. This led to a decline in both composition and performance during the latter half of the century until things finally began to improve in the early 1600s with a new focus on simpler pieces written for smaller ensembles.

The Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period of time from the 14th to the 17th century where there was a lot of change in music. This change was characterized by the use of new instruments, a wider range of dynamics, and more polyphony.

The Invention of the Printing Press

The printing press was invented in the 15th century, and it had a profound impact on the dissemination of knowledge. With the press, books could be printed quickly and cheaply, and they could be distributed widely. This had a particularly significant impact on the spread of learning during the Renaissance.

The first book to be printed with movable type was the Gutenberg Bible, which was published in 1455. This was followed by a flood of other books, including works by Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. The printing press made it possible for these works to be read by a much larger audience than ever before.

The invention of the printing press also had a major impact on music. Not only were musical works now able to be printed and distributed more easily, but new developments in musical notation made it possible for composers to communicate their ideas more precisely. The result was a boom in the composition of instrumental music, which reached new heights of complexity and sophistication.

The Reformation

The Reformation was a 16th-century religious and political challenge to papal authority in Catholic Europe. Read on to learn more about the effects of the Reformation on music.

The Reformation began in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. Luther’s act sparked a renewed interest in religion throughout Europe and set off a series of events that would forever change both the religious and musical landscapes.

As the various reformist movements gained momentum, churches began to split from the Catholic Church. This led to the formation of new denominations, such as the Lutheran and Calvinist churches. These Protestant churches placed a new emphasis on congregational singing, which had previously been largely absent from religious services.

In addition, the invention of moveable type in 1450 made it possible for hymnals and other musical works to be printed and distributed on a large scale for the first time. This allowed for a greater variety of religious music to be heard beyond the walls of churches and cathedrals.

The Reformation also had a profound impact on sacred music composition. The new Protestant churches banned the use of instruments in worship, favoring instead the use of voices alone. This shift away from instrumental music was in keeping with Luther’s belief that music should be accessible to all believers, not just those who could afford to hire professional musicians.

As a result of these changes, composers began writing a new type of vocal music known as evangelical chorales. These simple hymns were designed to be easy to sing by large groups of people and were often based on folk tunes or popular melodies. Many chorales composed during this period remain popular today, such as “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and “Amazing Grace.”

The Rise of Opera

The earliest opera was written in Florence, Italy toward the end of the 16th century. Opera is a drama set to music, and it is usually sung throughout. The first operas were short pieces performed as interludes during lavish renaissance feasts. They became increasingly popular, and by the early 17th century, opera houses began to appear in cities all over Europe.

Opera was initially an aristocratic pastime, but it soon became popular with people from all walks of life. Opera composers began to write longer and more complex works, sometimes with dozens of characters and several plotlines. Italian opera became increasingly bombastic, while German opera tended to be more serious and reflective.

The 18th century saw the rise of Opera buffa (comic opera), as well as a new form known as Opera seria (serious opera). These two genres would come to dominate the world of opera for many years to come.

The Baroque Era

The Baroque era was a time of great change in the world of music. Instrumental music became more popular, and new styles and forms were developed. The most important figure in this time period was Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was a German composer who wrote some of the most beautiful and complex pieces of music ever written. He is considered by many to be the greatest composer of all time.

The Invention of the Violin

In the early 1600s, a new type of musical instrument was invented in Italy: the violin. The violin quickly became the most popular instrument of the Baroque era, and was used in both religious and secular music. The first violins were very different from the instruments we know today; they had a much lower, softer sound, and were only used for accompaniment. As the instrument developed, however, it became capable of producing a wider range of sounds, and soon became the star of the Baroque era orchestra.

The Birth of the Symphony

The Baroque Era of instrumental music saw the birth of the modern symphony. This new form of orchestral music emerged in the early 1700s and quickly became popular throughout Europe. The symphony was designed to be performed by a large orchestra and featured four distinct movements: a fast first movement, a slower second movement, a third movement in dance style, and a fourth movement which was usually fast-paced.

The first great composer of symphonies was Franz Joseph Haydn, who wrote more than 100 symphonies during his lifetime. His music helped to define the genre and set the standard for future composers. Other notable symphonists from the Baroque Era include Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.

The Rise of the Concert

The concert, as a public musical event, began to take shape in the early Baroque era. Prior to this time, music was generally only heard in private settings, such as in royal courts or churches. However, with the rise of public concert venues and the popularity of professional musicians, music began to be heard by larger audiences in more public settings.

One of the most important developments in the early Baroque concert was the rise of the solo concert. This type of concert featured a single musician or small group of musicians performing without accompaniment. This allowed audiences to really focus on the individual performer and their virtuosic technique.

Another important development was the rise of instrumental music. Prior to the Baroque era, vocal music was universally considered to be superior to instrumental music. However, during the Baroque era, instrumentalists began to develop their own skills and repertoire, which led to a greater appreciation for instrumental music.

The Baroque era also saw the development of new genres of instrumental music, such as the sonata and concerto. These genres showcased the performer’s technical skill and ability to create intricate melodic lines. The popularity of these genres helped to establish instrumental music as a respected art form in its own right.

The Classical Era

Instrumental music is music that is played without any vocals. This type of music was popular during the Classical Era, which spanned from 1750 to 1820. Many famous composers, such as Mozart and Beethoven, wrote some of their most well-known pieces during this time. Let’s take a closer look at the Classical Era and some of the most famous instrumental pieces of music that came out of it.

The French Revolution

The French Revolution of 1789 was a major turning point in the history of western music. The music of the classical era (roughly 1750-1820) was marked by a dramatic increase in the use and complexity of instrumental music, as well as a corresponding increase in public concert life.

The French Revolution had a profound effect on the development of classical music, both in terms of its compositional style and its place in society. The changes ushered in by the Revolution can be seen most clearly in the works of two French composers: Jean-Philippe Rameau and François Couperin.

Rameau, who was born in 1683, was one of the most important composers of opera during the first half of the eighteenth century. His operas are notable for their use of striking harmonic progressions and grandiose orchestration. In 1749, Rameau’s Opera-ballet “Les Fêtes d’Hébé” (“The Festivals of Hebe”) was performed at the Palace of Versailles to great acclaim.

Couperin, who was born ten years after Rameau, is best known for his keyboard music. Couperin’s keyboard works are characterized by their intricate melodic lines and decorative ornamentation. In 1713, Couperin became the official “harpsichordist to the king” (Louis XIV). This position allowed Couperin to play an important role in shaping the musical taste of the French aristocracy.

The French Revolution brought about a dramatic change in both Rameau and Couperin’s fortunes. Rameau’s operas were denounced by anti-royalist revolutionaries as being “filled with royalty and excessive luxury.” Couperin, on the other hand, was praised for his simple and elegant keyboard music, which was seen as being more “democratic” than Rameau’s grandiose operas.

During the classical era, instrumental music increasingly came to be seen as a symbol of social status. The lower classes were generally excluded from public concert life, while the upper classes increasingly came to see attending concerts as a marker of their social status. The French Revolution helped to break down these barriers, making public concert life more inclusive and accessible to all social classes.

The Rise of the Piano

In the Classical era, the piano began to gain popularity as a solo instrument. composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven wrote many of their greatest works for the piano. The piano quickly became the most important keyboard instrument in Western music.

During the Classical era, the harpsichord was still widely used in many types of music. However, it was gradually replaced by the piano in most genres of music. The piano could be played with more expression than the harpsichord, and it had a wider range of dynamics (loudness and softness).

The Birth of the String Quartet

The string quartet is widely considered to be the most important type of chamber music there is. It consists of four players – two violinists, a violist, and a cellist – playing together. Often, the same players will stay together for many years, performing in hundreds or even thousands of concerts and recordings. This way of making music together creates a unique bond between the players, and results in a level of communication and understanding that is unrivaled by any other type of ensemble.

The first string quartet was written in 1750 by Haydn, and it quickly became the most popular type of chamber music. Many other great composers wrote string quartets, including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms. Today, there are hundreds of different string quartets all over the world, performing all kinds of music – from classical to jazz to rock.

The Romantic Era

The Romantic Era of instrumental music was marked by an emphasis on emotion and imagination. Composers sought to evoke particular moods or feelings in their music. Other important characteristics of Romantic-era music include a departure from traditional tonality, or the use of non-traditional harmonic progressions; an increased use of chromaticism, or the use ofnotes that are not part of the scale; and a focus on expressive and lyrical melodies.

The Rise of the Symphony

Instrumental music in the Romantic era underwent a dramatic transformation, most notably in the development of the symphony and the concerto.

The early 18th century saw the rise of the sonata form, which quickly became the standard template for instrumental works. The first half of the 18th century was dominated by Baroque composers such as Bach and Vivaldi, who wrote works mostly for small ensembles. However, by the mid-18th century, a number of composers began to expand these works to include larger ensembles, and the symphony began to emerge as a distinct genre.

The first known symphony was written by Italian composer Giovanni Battista Sammartini in 1740. However, it was not until Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn wrote his 104 symphonies that the genre truly began to take off. Haydn’s contemporary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart also wrote a number of highly influential symphonies, including his famous “Prague” Symphony.

Beethoven took the symphony to new heights with his nineohone masterpieces, which expanded on Haydn’s innovations and added a new level of emotionality and drama. Other notable Romantic-era symphonists include Brahms, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and Bruckner.

The Birth of the Opera

The term “opera” is derived from the Italian word for work, and it initially applied to a variety of musical dramas performed in the courtly settings of Renaissance Italy. These early operas were largely improvised, and they often included comic interludes or other diversionary entertainment. By the early 17th century, the form had evolved to include fully composed music and recitative (sung dialogue), and it soon became the province of professional musicians and composers.

The first public opera house opened in Venice in 1637, and the form quickly spread throughout Europe. Opera became especially popular in France, Germany, and England, where it would give rise to some of the most important works of the Romantic era. Notable operas from this period include Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung, 1876) and Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata (1853).

The Rise of the Piano Concerto

In the early Classical period, the piano concerto rose to prominence as one of the most popular and influential type of instrumental music. The first great composer of piano concertos was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who wrote 27 concertos for the instrument. Mozart’s piano concertos are characterized by their majestic melodies, witty invention, and beautiful harmonies.

Ludwig van Beethoven also wrote a number of influential piano concertos, including his iconic “Emperor Concerto.” Beethoven’s concertos are known for their grandiose gestures, heroic themes, and innovative structural ideas.

Other important composers of piano concertos include Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Leonard Bernstein. The piano concerto remains a popular genre to this day, with new works being composed by living composers such as John Adams and Philip Glass.