Music History Through the Middle Ages, Rennisance, Baroque, Etc...
1989 words 8 pagesMusic has evolved too many different forms that we recognize today. We trace this development throughout time. Beginning in the middle ages, we have seen advancement from the Gregorian chant all the way to the Jazz of the 20th century. The current events, politics, religion, technology and composers can shape musical eras during time. Here I will look at the middle ages, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and twentieth century periods. I hope that a better understanding can be reached to why, when, where and who are the reasons for musical evolution.
Beginning with fall of Rome in 476a.d. the first half of this millennium is referred to as the "dark ages". In society, all power flowed from the king with the …show more content…
Singers and players added their own embellishments to what was written to show off. This gave many creative contributions to the work. The practice became very widespread throughout Baroque music. During this period, many prominent performers emerged. Johann Sebastian Bach, probably the most prominent was born in Germany. Bach wrote two hundred or so church cantatas. These cantatas typically have five to eight movements and the first, last and middle, are usually choral numbers. George Frideric Handel took part in this period composing many oratorios or choral dramas. Handel is probably best known for his piece "Messiah" which premiered in 1742.
The classical era began in the middle of the 1700's and followed up by the Romantic period. During this time rulers like Louis XV and Fredrick the Great controlled regions in the west. Before the end of the eighteenth century, the French Revolution convulsed Europe. This brought witness to both the old regime and the new politicaleconomical alignment in Europe. The industrial revolution aided to many advances in science and brought forth more money for countries. The American Revolution broke out in the east at this time. The Viennese School was a place where composers like Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven practiced. They brought many elements to classical style like diatonic harmony that is based on the seven tones of the major and minor scale. These masters used this