TRACING WESTERN MUSIC:  1600–1900

The Tonal Music System

  • Use of functional harmony to move the listener through the piece and establish relationships (I - IV - V - I);
  • Counterpoint:  Melodic lines that retain their individual identity, but also work together;
  • Tension and resolution through the use of dissonance and consonance.

The basic periods in the development of this music can be seen as:

  1. Baroque, 1600-1750
  2. Classical, 1750-1810
  3. Romantic, 1810-1900

Baroque

1600–1750

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Other Composers:

George Fredrich Handel

Antonio Vivaldi

  • Equal-temperament becomes the standard tuning for modern Western music (Bach's Well Tempered Klavier)
  • Much sacred music associated with church services & Christian holidays
  • Also music for political and social occasions and dance– but these were often also connected with the church
  • Highly complex counterpoint and ornamental
  • Improvisation played a key role

Harpsichord

The Baroque Orchestra

Classical

1750–1810

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)

Wolfgang Mozart (1756–1791)

  • Focus on clarity of form and structure, less ornate counterpoint
  • The "Age of Enlightenment" emphasized reason, common sense, self-governance; In contrast to Baroque theocracy & aristocracy
  • Music should present itself to be clearly understood & appreciated by all, not just those in religious positions.
  • ...But social class hierarchies were still dominant 
  • Orchestras getting larger (20-40 players)
  • Pieces getting longer
  • Compositional forms evolving (symphony, sonata, concerto, string quartet)
  • First music theory book: Treatise on Harmony, by Rameau (1722)

The Tonal Music System Develops Further

Clavichord

The Classical Orchestra

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Classical

Romantic

Romantic

1810–1900

Franz Liszt (1811–1886)

Hector Berlioz (1803–1869)

  • Other composers: Chopin, Brahms, Wagner, Mahler
  • Music as primarily emotional communication, composer as "artisté"
  • Dramatic, natural, and supernatural themes (conflict, nature, dreams, magic, drugs)
  • Inspiration from the glorified past
  • Less connection to the church than ever before
  • Huge orchestras, extremely long & ambitious works
  • Virtuoso performers as rock-stars
  • Close connection with other art forms, especially literary work (poem settings, program music)

Pianoforté

The Romantic Orchestra

The Western Orchestra

1700

1900

1800