Periods of Musical History

Click here for GCSE coursework!
GCSE subject: English \| Maths \| Biology \| Chemistry \| Physics \| Geography \| History \| Food tech \| French \| IT \| Music \| RS Click to chat in GCSE forums \| Click for 1000s of GCSE courseworks online!

GCSE Music> Periods of Musical History

Medieval (pre 1500)

Very simple musical structures
Very little music was written down
Most music was performed by troubadors
Mostly monophonic
Simple rhythms based on speech

Renaissance (1500-1650)

Contrapuntal music was introduced
Lots of imitation
Use of modes
Mainly polyphonic
Usually performed by instruments of the same family

Baroque (1650-1750)

Full of ornaments and decoration
Use of antiphonal effects
Use of terraced dynamics
Often accompanied by a harpsichord
The birth period of the modern orchestra

Classical (1750-1810)

Music in regular length phrases
Harmony concentrates around the tonic and dominant
Famous composers include Mozart, Beethoven and Hadyn
Genres of the period include symphony, concerto, string quartet and opera

Romantic (1810-1900)

More instruments used and larger orchestra
Variety in harmonics including dischords
Some music used to tell stories or create emotions
Famous composers include Tchaicovsky, Shubert and Verdi
Contrasts in dynamics, instruments, and pitch

Modern (1900-present)

Complete dissolution of harmony
The combinations of instruments became more varied
Composers became more aware of their national heritage
Composers include Elgar, Schönenberg and Stravinsky

Page by: Big jessie

Click here for GCSE music coursework online

side bar Click here for GCSE forums!

HOME | GCSE bookshop | GCSE Forums | Take a break | GCSE coursework
Bookmark us | Submit your work | Help and advice | GCSE links | Thanks to

GCSEs.com | Project revision | Project Alevel | Project iGCSE | Revision bookshop | Project education
Contact us | Privacy policy | Advertise here
© Matthew Woollard 2004