The Most Fascinating Periods of Music History

Music encompasses culture, art, emotion, and ideology. As society evolves, so does the style and sound of the music, and what emerges is a diverse tapestry that represents the time period in which the music was created as well as the people who created it

Medieval Music

During the medieval era, the music of the times was deeply influenced by the growing power of the church. The church had begun to wield its power, and notations were reintroduced into the musical repertory which brought major changes from earlier songs. As expected with many relics of this period, much of the music would have been destroyed if it wasn't for the liturgical pieces from Roman Catholic Church. The Gregorian Chant is one of the most famous pieces from this era.

Renaissance Music

The Renaissance era of music introduced a clearer, more voice-centric melody. Songs of this time fused balanced polyphony, and created pieces that people could sing with ease. Chords were more flexible, making pieces easy to adapt according to the style of the artist. Then, the advent of the printing press made the most significant contribution of all, giving respective artists and people who were just beginning to learn music new resources to expand their talents and passions, not to mention notations. Interestingly, John Taylor who was an ocular surgeon, botched up the vision of two giant composers, Bach and Handel. Despite this ocular error, both were still musical visionaries of the Renaissance.

Baroque Music

In lieu of the Renaissance, the Baroque period ushered in a surge of instrumental musical revelry, and secular music became more prevalent than ever before. Counterpoint (the use independent, polyphonic melodies) was a strong influencer on the music of this era, giving pieces a richer flavor. Composers even introduced improvisation into their design, and the bass and keyboard allowed for the expansion of possibilities to stretch across all keys. It was during this time when Mozart created some of his most outstanding work on the fly…and hungover!

Classical Music (approx. 1700-1810s)

Harmony truly defines the Classical era. During the 1700 to 1810s, composers brought components together in harmony, creating distinct chords with a melody and accompaniment. Some unforgettable pieces emerged during this era that aren't comparable with anything before like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. The composer Mozart was notably one of the most influential composers of the time, along with Beethoven and Richter during the classical era.

Romantic Music (approx. 1810s-1900)

The Romantic period like the name suggests, brought an increase of emotion and meaning into the musical art form. This period started around 1830 and ended around 1900, as compositions became increasingly expressive and inventive. During this time dramatic operas, virtuosic piano music and expansive symphonies took inspiration from art and literature. Famous Romantic music period composers include Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Mahler, and Verdi among many other legends. From Schumann to Chopin to Wagner, compositions became ever-more complex, as is symbolized by some dramatic pieces like Siegfried by Wagner.

20th Century Music

With the invention of a square box called the radio, music as we know it, changed forever. Towards the 19th and early 20th centuries, technological advancements like recording and reproduction devices were revolutionary. This is not to forget the television and music videos that also influenced the era. This boom helped to bring music to the masses. It’s manifested by the fact that every decade of the 20th century ushered in a new sound and a new hunger for something different. Music has always managed to stay relevant and fascinating, surviving the vicissitudes of time.