Baroque Period
(1600-1750)
Baroque music is a period and style of Western classical music that originated in Europe. The Baroque period is divided into: early (1580 to 1650), middle (1630 to 1700), and late (1680 to 1750).
Characteristic of this style is its heavy ornamentation which conveys a dignified seriousness and impressive grandeur. Towards the end of this period the "galante" style made the transition between Baroque and Classical eras. Baroque music is a major part of classical music in general, and is widely studied, performed, and listened to. The works of Georg Friedrich Händel and Johann Sebastian Bach are considered the highest achievements of the Baroque period.
Classic Period
(1750-1820)
Music from this period has a lighter, clearer texture than Baroque music. It uses a more sophisticated use of the form - sonata form. Characteristic is a clear melody line over a supporting chordal accompaniment.
Variety and contrast within a piece became more pronounced than before. Also in this period the orchestra increased in size, range, and power. The Classic period used formality and emphasis on order and hierarchy. Divisions between parts is more marked. Brighter contrasts and tone colors were achieved by the use of dynamic changes and modulations to more keys. In contrast with the richly layered music of the Baroque era, Classic period music moved towards simplicity rather than complexity. The best-known composers from this period are Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert. The later two providing a remarkable transition to the next music period - romantic.
Romantic Period
(1800-1910)
Romantic composers' approach to music was more individualistic, emotional, and dramatic. The need to capture the inspiration of the moment moved these composers away from the traditional structured forms.
Romantic music aligned with the movements of Romantic literature, poetry, art, and philosophy. This style of music was often programmatic - inspired by non-musical subjects such as nature, literature, poetry, the fine arts. During the Romantic period, music often adopted a more nationalistic purpose. Composers composed with a distinct sound that represented their home country and traditions. Frédéric Chopin was one of the first composers to incorporate nationalistic elements into his compositions. His music clearly depicts Poland's struggle for freedom from tsarist rule. His mazurkas and polonaises are particularly notable for their use of nationalistic rhythms.
Modernist Period
(1890-1975)
From a wide variety of post-Romantic styles, Modernist classical music includes late Romantic, Impressionist, Expressionist, and Neoclassical styles of composition.
Modernism marked an era when many composers rejected certain values of the previous periods, such as traditional tonality, melody, instrumentation, and structure. At the onset, two musical movements were dominant - the impressionist beginning around 1890 and the expressionist around 1908. This period, marked by much challenge and reinterpretation of older categories of music, led to many harmonic, melodic, sonic, and rhythmic innovations. Prominent composers of the early 20th century include Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sergei Prokofiev, Arnold Schoenberg, Hector Villa-Lobos, Alban Berg, Cécile Chaminade, Paul Hindemith, Aram Khachaturian, George Gershwin, Béla Bartók, and Dmitri Shostakovich, along with Gustav Mahler and Jean Sibelius as transitional figures who carried over from the 19th century.