1 Music History Timeline Part 1 Middle Ages, Renaissance & Baroque 2 Music History Time Periods 500-1400 – Middle Ages (Medieval) Period  C. 500 = Church chants codified.  1400 = Ars Nova (‘New Art’) in Chuch Music 1400-1600 – Renaissance Period  1600 = Development of Opera 1600-1750 – Baroque Period  1750 = Death of J.S. Bach 1750-1820 – Classical Period  1820 = Height of Beethoven’s work. 1820-1900 – Romantic Period  1900 – Turn of the century (duh..) 1890-1945 – Modern Period  Impressionism, Serialism, Birth of jazz 1901-2000 – 20th Century 1945-present – Post WWII Contemporary  Less serialsim, more development of classic forms 2001-present – 21st Century

3 Middle Ages (Medieval) Middle Ages time period – 500-1400. The years 500 & 1400 are not exact, just estimates as to when major developments in music occurred. Middle Ages in history is defined as when the Roman Empire fell and all their principalities were left to fend for themselves, leading to a period of conquest by various barbarian hoards. The Christian church – primarily the Roman Catholic Church – became a central figure in people’s lives. The year 500 is around when the chants of the various churches were written down so they may be taught easier. Secular (non Church) music was performed by traveling musicians known as troubadors – many of these manuscripts have survived to this day. 4 Middle Ages (cont) Gregorian chant – named after Pope Gregory the Great – was the primary sacred (church) music at this time.  Monophonic Music (one line only)  Sung by clergy only. Adding lines to the Gregorian is known as organum, a major development in music history and the birth of harmony. Organum was developed in Paris, France, primarily attributed to composer Leonin and his successor Perotin, in the Cathedral of Notre Dame. True polyphonic (multi-line) music was developed in the later years and proved to be a bridge to the Renaissance period. Medieval instruments include the sacbut (trombone), shaum (oboe), lute (guitar), vielle (violin) and an early version of the organ. 5 Renaissance Years of the Renaissance – 1400-1600. 1400 is not an exact year, this is regarded as when the general history of the Renaissance is in full swing in Italy as well as the high sacred music in Paris, France. 1600 is around the time opera was developed by the Florentine Camerata and further developed by Claudio Montiverdi. The Renaissance period in history began when the Byzantine empire centered in Constantinople fell to Islam. All their scholars, musicians, etc fled to Europe, settling first in Italy. The music of the Renaissance is rich and varied. Lots of music from this period has survived and is still performed to this day. The Gutenberg printing press was developed at this time and was quickly adapted to music printing. 6 Renaissance (cont) The demand for music as entertainment rose at this time. The bourgeois (wealthy) class demanded music as entertainment at their various parties and events, making for lots of secular music. Sacred music developed as well, thanks primarily to Josquin des Prez & Giovanni Palestrina. They developed the “Mass” (the primary service in the Roman Catholic Church) into a legitimate art form. In 1517, Martin Luther’s 95 theses that he nailed to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany sparked the Protestant Reformation which had implications in church music – more specifically, the emphasis on congregational participation in songs. The development of opera led to the development of the symphony orchestra – a primary ensemble for ‘legit’ music. Most instruments of the Renaissance are improved versions of Medieval instruments, notably the trumpet, violin, guitar, tambourine and the harpsichord.

1 7 Baroque Period Baroque period in music begins around 1600 with the development of opera and the symphony. The period ends in 1750 with the death of JS Bach (more about him later…) GF Handel also passed away soon after Bach. The word ‘baroque’ means ‘misshapen pearl’, which began as a negative term for this style of music. Some of the world’s best known music comes from this period. The harmonic language (chords, etc) that we use today were developed during this period. Within the Baroque period, there are 3 sub periods with distinctive styles – Early, Middle and Late. Early Baroque saw a group of scholars, poets and composers known as the Florentine Camerata who were influential in the development of opera. The use of ‘figured bass’ provided composers a ‘shortcut’ to chords – an early use of chord symbols. 8 Baroque Period (cont) Early Baroque church music saw a return to basics – getting away from the high use of counterpoint of the Renaissance. Greater emphasis on clarity of the words was emphasized. Middle Baroque saw a significant development of the orchestra and the form ‘concerto grosso’ an early exercise in use of instrumentation for dynamic (volume) contrasts. Antonio Vivaldi popularized the ‘concerto’–orchestral works to show off great soloists. Concertos are a primary genre today. The Late Baroque period saw the rise of GF Handel and JS Bach. There will be considerable discussion about these composers at a later time. The instruments used in the Baroque are easily accessible today and there are many groups dedicated to reproducing baroque music with period correct instruments.

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