Western classical music

through time 1150-modern

day

The Medieval Period

The medieval period was earliest type of western music written we
are able to understand. Its time scale of between 1150-1400.The
beginning of the Medieval period was very much based for
churches, with religious meanings. There were three different
sections to the medieval period, middle ages, higher middle ages
and the late ages. It wasnt till the middle ages where secular
music was formed. In the 10th and 11th century, composers began
too write their compositions polyphonically which meant that there
was more than one melody.
Here are some of the main instruments used in the time period:
The recorder
Early stages of the organ
fiddle
trombone (called the sackbut)

The Renaissance Period

The Renaissance period allowed composers to have a lot more
freedom in their music. Composers moved away from basic harmonies
which had taken over the music for over 300 years and taken it into
the direction of using major and minor scales. This created more types
of emotion allowing the composers to express their feelings through
their music. The renaissance period brought vocals into the style of
music.
One of the most famous composers during the renaissance period was
Thomas Tallis who was born in 1510 and died in 1585. His most
famous composition is Spem in Alium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT-ZAAi4UQQ
Here is a list of the instruments used in the period of Western Classical
music.
Harp
Harpsichord
Lute
Organetto
Percussion

The Baroque Period

The Baroque period was where the orchestra and opera side of
music formed . Western classical music was starting to be played in
front of society, restaurants, special events etc and was spreading
and evolving into a worldwide style of music. One of the most
popular composers of this period was Johann Sebastian Bach. His
most famous piece is the toccata and fugue in d minor.
Instruments which evolved through this time period includes the
soft string family of the Renaissance period and also the
harpsichord which was where the piano originated from.

The Classical Period

The classical period brought us the start of modern concerto,
symphonies and sonatas. It produced some of the most amazing
influential composers of all time such as Joseph Hadyn, Johann
Christian , Wolfgang Mozart and in the late stages of this period
Beethoven. The classical period was dominated by instrument
compositions. Compositions were mainly homophonic, using a
clear melody line over a accompaniment.
Here are the typical instruments played in the this period:

Wood: Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo

Brass: French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
Percussion: Timpani.
Fortepiano.

The Romantic Period

The romantic period heavily involved the new, bright and powerful
piano. The orchestra also upgraded and strings, percussion brass
and woodwinds expanded further. Instruments such as the clarinet,
snare drums and xylophones were invented in this period of time.
This period brought us many famous composers, some of these
were Frederic Chopin and Tchaikovsky. This period allowed
composers to have more freedom with writing sonatas and
symphonies.

Modern/High Modern
Modern/high modern music transformed Western Classical music with
new technology which was growing around it. Radio broadcasts and
gramophone records were being invented so the less wealthy didnt
have to spend vast amounts of money on concerts etc and could
listen and enjoy at a low costs
Technology was evolving fast it enabled people to listen to it for free
without having to order tickets and spend hours listening in a theatre
due to music apps and websites. Technology also allowed people to
listen to any composer of their choice without having to go through a
set of composers in a theatre.