An Extremely Brief History Of Classical Music

By Merryn Brose

The term 'Classical Music' refers to a western musical tradition that stretches from around 1100 to the present day. It is an 'art music', distinct from the folk, military or ceremonial music of previous ages and the jazz and pop of our own --- although it has never been entirely independent, and the lines become ever harder to draw.

Although classical music evolved gradually over the centuries with different styles overlapping, we can divide the history of music into six main periods of time.

The Medieval period (to about 1450)

Medieval composers viewed their art as a means of glorifying God. Often working in monasteries, they composed in plainsong, using a single clear vocal line primarily to convey the words and meaning of the sacred texts.

Outside the church, 12th and 13th century French Troubadours wrote songs which gave a clear idea of pitch but not of note-values and were probably performed with instrumental accompaniment.

Representative composers: Hildegard, Machaut, Dunstable.

The Renaissance (1450 - 1600)

Most composers wrote for just one employer and their work was kept for his use alone. A few composers became famous, (e.g. Dufay and Ockeghem) and many people travelled to hear their works. When music-printing was invented (1473), music was published and carried new ideas all over Europe.

Representative composers: Des Pres, Palestrina, Lassus, Byrd.

The Baroque (1600 - 1750)

During this period music was immeasurably enriched both by new choral forms --- opera, the cantata and the oratorio --- and by instrumental forms such as the sonata and the concerto. Most new musical ideas originated in Italy, where Scarlatti and Vivaldi were prominent and where Monteverdi's genius promoted opera. However, it was in Germany, with Bach and Handel, that Baroque reached its greatest heights.

Representative composers: Purcell, Corelli, Couperin, Bach, Handel, Telemann.

The Classical Era (1750 - 1810)

The Classical Age means the second half of the 18th century, when composers wrote in a formal, elegant style. It is when the symphony, the concerto, and the sonata all underwent a significant evolution. Haydn, Mozart and Gluck set their unique marks, with the relative simplicity and restraint of their music.

Representative composers: Stamitz, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven

The Romantic Era (1810 - 1910)

The main ingredient of romantic music is feeling and emotion. Beethoven began to expand traditional musical forms to convey great depth and intensity of feeling. Mendelssohn and Schumann and Liszt were inspired by the grandeur of nature. It was also the age of the virtuoso, and the public flocked to hear Chopin and Paganini.

The growing nationalism was reflected in the operas of Wagner and Verdi. British, Czech and Russian composers drew on native songs and folk music, as did Grieg in Norway and Bartok in Hungary. Whether they used actual folk-tunes and rhythms or not, the feeling of precise 'nationality' gives their music colour and vigorous excitement.

Representative composers: Schumann, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Smetana, Puccini, Mahler.

The 20th Century (1900 onwards)

For many 20th century composers, past styles still offered plenty of scope. Some like Richard Strauss, Elgar, Nielsen and Shostakovich used a basically 19th century style, updating it with 20th century harmonies and new ideas (such as jazz). Others (such as Stravinsky and Hindemith) reworked older styles particularly those of the 18th century: because of this their work was called 'neo-classical'. Still other composers (eg Ives, Schoenberg and Webern) struck out in new directions altogether devising fresh systems and ways of combining sounds. Later in the century, electronic instruments, computers and recording machines combined with traditional methods and performers to produce a music utterly unlike anything known in the 19th century.

Representative composers: Stravinsky, Britten, Copland, Stockhausen, Schnittke, Cage.

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Merryn Brose is a presenter on 5MBS.