Love poems were sung on top of religious texts in the form of a trope, and such texts where also placed within well-known folk-melodies. It became altered, fragmented, and hidden beneath secular tunes - even obscuring the sacred texts - as composers continued to explore the technique. In the 1200s, the polyphonic chant-based tenor developed further. Composers active in the 1100s, such as Léonin and Pérotin, added a third and fourth voice to the chanting. European “polyphony chanting” rose out of melismatic organum, the earliest harmonization of multi-vocal lines. Also developed around the same time, Polyphony is a somewhat similar technique but one that makes use of multiple vocal lines. The most famous example of Church Medieval music is the Gregorian Chant, a single, unaccompanied melodic line and plainsong typically sung by monks that developed in the Roman Catholic Church in the 800s and 900s. Most of what we know from this time is sacred music written and performed to praise God or religious rituals. The church was not only the center of literacy and learning in the middle ages but also a patron of artistic and creative endeavours, including music.

It is only from the later “church medieval” era that we have surviving written notation that more or less exactly conveys how music at the time sounded. Not much evidence has survived to tell us about any formal musical techniques of the ancient world. Folk & “Church” Medieval (500 CE – 1400 CE)

Still, each stage of musical evolution can be broadly defined by using particular compositional techniques and artistic preferences. Dates aren’t strict - there is always some overlap between artistic trends. Prodigies and musical geniuses, classical music still thrives after all these years.In this article, we’ll be taking a look at each period. Like Chopin, Wagner, Strauss, Debussy, John Adams, and Boulez presented theirĮven though different genres have taken over the present world, thanks to these Period, and post-modern period from 1820 to today. As this era gradually progressed, compositions by the legendaryīeethoven and Schubert came in as a prelude to the following classic timeline – theĪfter the classical period, the world was then introduced to the romantic period, modern The two extraordinary composers Mozart and Haydn rose to recognition and fame in theĬlassical era. Period was known for intensive structural clarity. While Baroque music became notable for textural intricacies, the classical The classical era witnessed the new peak of expressive and structural refinement inĬompositions. Sonata, quartet, trio, concerto, and symphony. World, was brought to light in the Classical Period. Sonata form, the most revered and dominant instrumental composition in the music Some classic legends like Scarlatti, Purcell, Bach, and Handel found Some of the primary instruments used in orchestras today were very common inīaroque music. As more and moreĬomposers turned toward writing instrumental works, classical music gradually began to This period gave way to the modern orchestra, sonata, concerto,Īlong with the advancement in instrumental groups, the Baroque era also saw anĮmbrace of tonal music based on major and minor scales. The baroque era was when classical music found a significant upheaval in complexityĪnd musical formats. Gesualdo were a few who dominated the 15th century. Influential composers like John Downland, Palestrina, Tallis, and With the 15th century musicians witnessing moreįreedom in harmony and polyphony, there was a gradual rise in textural variety andīesides lute, these Renaissance musicians played other string instruments like the lyre, In the renaissance era, audiences were introduced to polyphonic music, mainly choral Instrumental music on the lute, flute, string instruments, and the recorder. The Gregorian chant, which gradually developed into organum, brought into picture legends like Landini and Machaut. Besides singing, the medieval musicians composed and played soothing Medieval music is known for the Gregorian chant, also known as monophonic chantingĪnd plainsong.

Music like ballades, virelais, etc., date back to the 12th century. Though music has forever been a part of human civilization, most music historiansīegin cataloging classical music mainly in the medieval era. Classical music has always been most notably played on piano.

Classical music timeline