In the Late Baroque period, tonality was fully established. The contrapuntal technique culminated in the full absorption of tonal harmony. The forms grew to larger dimensions. The aria, concerto and sonata reached an elaborate state. Vocal music was dominated by instrumental music.
The modern era (from 1900 to post WWII) saw new directions in music, from Impressionism to atonality and serialism, and a neoclassicist movement - looking back to Baroque and Classical forms for inspiration.
From 1960 on, the contemporary composer relied more and more on electronic synthesisers and computers. The increasing market for film scores influenced many composers to work for music that is approachable by the masses, while others look to minimalism for the complex simplicity that expresses our times.