Music Theory
Amanda Dyah Pitaloka / 9.1
Musical Period
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Medieval Period - from about 800 to 1400 AD
Renaissance Period - from 1400 to 1600 AD
Baroque Period - from 1600 to 1750 AD
Classical Period - from 1750 to 1820 AD
Romantic period - from 1820 to 1950
Twentieth Century
Medieval Period 800 – 1400 AD
Information
• The Medieval Era is the longest and most remote
period of musical history
• It is important to note that this musical era consists of
almost a thousand years worth of music
• For most of the middle ages, the Church was the focal
point of social life, learning, and the arts.
• Saint Gregory, who was pope from 590 - 640 C.E., is
said to have organized a huge repetoire of chants that
developed during the first centuries of the Christian
church. Thus the term of "Gregorian Chant" came
about.
Renaissance Period 1400 – 1600 AD
Information
• This period in time marked the rebirth of humanism, and the
revival of cultural achievements for their own sake in all forms
of art, including music
• The word "Renaissance" in itself is defined as a "rebirth” or a
"reconstruction".
• The distinctive musical sounds of the Renaissance era were
comprised of a smooth, imitative, style, as seen in the music
of Byrd, Palestrina, and Lassus
• Renaissance polyphony was harmonious when compared with
the Medieval style
Baroque Period 1600-1750 AD
Information
• The term Baroque was derived from a Portuguese word meaning "a pearl
of irregular shape." The word Baroque was initially used to imply
strangeness, abnormality and extravagance, applying more to art than
music.
• The music of this time period was characterized by rich countepoint and a
highly decorated melodic line.
• Baroque music broke away from the harshness of the Medieval and early
Renaissance style with new emphasis on the use of vocal and instrumental
color.
• It is also important to note that opera and the orchestra were both
conceived during the Baroque era as well.
• during the Baroque period composers began exploring music's ability to
express the human spirirt and to depict natural phenomena
Classical Period 1750-1830 AD
Information
• Classical music placed a greater stress on clarity with regard to
melodic expression and instrumental color
• The classical style was dominated by homophony which
consisted of a single melodic line and an accompaniment
• The most important of these forms was the sonata which was
instrumental music
• The melodies of the Classical era were more compact and
diatonic. Harmony was less structured. It used the tonic,
dominant, and subdominant chords.
• In addition, during this period, diatonic harmony was more
common then chromatic
Romantic Music Era 1850-1920
Information
• The Romantic era was a period of great change and emancipation
• While the Classical era had strict laws of balance and restraint, the
Romantic era moved away from that by allowing artistic freedom,
experimentation, and creativity
• The music of this time period was very expressive, and melody became
the dominant feature.
• Composers even used this expressive means to display nationalism
• This became a driving force in the late Romantic period, as composers
used elements of folk music to express their cultural identity.
• As in any time of change, new musical techniques came about to fit in
with the current trends. Composers began to experiment with length of
compositions, new harmonies, and tonal relationships
• Additionally, there was the increased use of dissonance and extended use
of chromaticism
• Another important feature of Romantic music was
the use of color. While new instruments were
constantly being added to the orchestra, composers
also tried to get new or different sounds out of the
instruments already in use.
• During the Romantic period, the virtuoso began to
be focused
• Exceptionally gifted performers - pianists, violinists,
and singers became enormously popular
Composers on Romantic Music Era
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Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)
Frederic Chopin (1810-1901)
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Guiseppi Verdi (1813-1901)
Which composer that I will
choose?
Romantic Era Composer
Frederic Chopin
• He was born on March 1st, 1810 but
in the birth certificate he was born at
February 22nd, 1810
• He was born at Zelazowa Wola,
Poland
• He was the second of 4 children
• His father name was Nicholas Chopin
• His mother name was Justina
• Young Chopin had an artistic talents
such as:
 He was an artist
 He wrote poetry
 He played piano without any formal
instructions
• He studied music from the age of 6
• By the time he-was seven, he had begun his career as a
concert pianist and had his first piece published
• His first trip abroad was to Vienna, where he gave two
successful concerts
• Although only 20, he was already an accomplished pianist
noted for his sensitive playing and imaginative improvisations.
• He had also composed two of his largest works, both piano
concertos.
• Arriving in Paris in 1831 Chopin quickly made influential
friends, but success was slower to come his way. Although a
gifted musician, he was not a natural performer: his
introverted nature did not appeal in the concert hall and his
first appearance was coolly received.
• On October 17, 1849, tuberculosis ended the
life of a young genius.
• Chopin passed away at the age of 39
• Thousands joined together to attend his
funeral and to pay him homage.
• His funeral was held at the Church of the
Madeleine, and he was buried at the Père
Lachaise Cemetery in Paris
Chopin Works
• Piano Concerto No.1 in E Minor,
Op.11
• Piano Concerto No.2 in F Minor,
Op.21
• Polonaise in C-sharp minor No.1
Op.26
• Polonaise in E-flat minor No.2
Op.26
• Polonaise Op.71 No.3
• Polonaise in A major no.1 op.40
”Military”
• Polonaise in C minor No.2 Op.40
• Polonaise in F sharp minor Op.44
• Grande Polonaise op.22
• Polonaise no.6 in As major op.53
”Heroic”
• Polonaise-Fantaisie
• Mazurka in D Major Op.33 No.2
• Mazurka op.7 no.3 in F
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Preludes
Nocturnes
Waltzes
Ballades
Etudes
Fantasie Op.49
Gallop Marquis
Largo
Marche Funebre
Cantabile
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor,
Op. 35 ("Funeral March")
• Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor,
Op.58
• Scherzo no.2 in B flat minor Op.31
• Barcarolle op.60
Here is the link for on of Chopin’s music:
Nocturne
http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/55f2587
2fa5e0daa376dc447cf6ae92515611ee4
Bibliography
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http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-ren.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-bar.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-cla.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-romcomp.htm
• http://ezinearticles.com/?Frederic-Chopin:-A-BriefBiography&id=5786718
• http://www.all-art.org/music/chopin.html