Analysis of the evolution of musical styles
Introduction
Each composer is usually classified just within a certain timeframe when he or she lived as well as the traits of the music he or she had composed. From each period, music has been regarded as being one of the defining characteristics that are used for dedifferentiating one period from another. Despite that, it is evident that different musical pieces of a single period will keep on varying from one another (Hoffer 223). The first three periods (baroque, romantic, and 20th century), are considered to be an overarching time because it had been practiced within 1600-1900.
Nevertheless, it is evident that the classical period mainly falls between the romantic and the baroque periods. What this implies is the fact that classical music is has a clear and lighter texture as compared to Baroque music. Considering its complexity, they are homophobic since there us the use of clear tune lines over subsidiary chordal accompaniments. Moreover, there is the use of style gallant to emphasize light elegance in the place of romantic and baroque's dignified impressive and serious grandeur. Contrast and variety just within a particular piece, therefore, becomes more and more pronounced as the orchestra increases in power, range, and size.
Moreover, there is the replacement of the harpsichord as the primary keyboard instrument of the fortepiano or piano. Although harpsichord functions by the plucking of the strings using quills, there is the use of the hammers covered with leathers to strike the strings of the piano. Whenever the keys are compressed, it enables the performer to play softer or louder. Therefore, it can be suggested that the voice of playing the harpsichord does not alter the sound. During this period, instrumental music for example was regarded as being one of the most important pieces by the classical period music composers. Some of the instrumental music that was played includes a string quartet, symphony, sonata, as well as solo concerto which mostly feature a single virtuoso performer. During this period, vocal music, for instance, opera (staged dramatic pieces for orchestra and singers), choral works, and songs for a piano and singer (particularly the works of Schubert) were extremely important.
Baroque (1600-1750)
The baroque style or period was as a result of the renaissance music period. It was later followed by the classical era with some of the musical characteristics such as the gallant style to make the transition from baroque to the classical period. Ideally, this period markets the beginning of the evolution of classical music. During this period, music was developed just from the renaissance music into what was perceived to be tonal music. Such a transition is also felt and embraced up-to-date. Primarily, the baroque music is characterized by its polyphonic texture (Bober et al 2). What this implies is that such musical piece consists of more than two independent melodic voices.
On the other hand, baroque music is largely known because of the continuous use of counterpoint. Ideally, such counterpoints are extremely complicated musical ideas. In simpler terms, counterpoints use various independent and different files which sound harmoniously whenever they are being played all together (Max Camp 117). The main characteristics of baroque music include
1) Polyphonic texture which consists of various melodic lines in several voices
2) Unification of the mood in that every single piece features a solo emotion for instance a certain piece that induces happiness will remain to be happy.
3) The continuity of rhythm which implies that its rhythmic patterns will have to be repeated throughout each piece.
4) Repetition of the same melody in which such repetition will have to be distinct although not lyrical.
5) The presence of terraced dynamics which implies that the change in dynamics will have to change suddenly.
6) Ornamentation in which there is the use of fast notes to decorate and flourish main notes.
7) Little utilization of instruments especially the use of the harpsichord.
Considering the above characteristics, it can be deduced that the baroque period enhanced the establishment of similar practice tonality. The reason for that is because is one of the approaches that were utilized to write in which a musical piece was base on a certain key. What this implies is the fact that that harmony will continue to utilized extensively particularly in classical and pop music. During the commencement of the baroque period, professional musical pieces were anticipated to be consummated by accompaniment lines and single melodic lines. On the other hand, the majority of the baroque concerts were extremely escorted with basso continuo groups. The main trait, in this case, was the dance suite (Bober et al 3). Whenever each piece of the dance suite was played, they had the propensity of inspiring real dance music. The same dance suite was designated purely for listening and not for accompanying the moves of the dancers.
Classical (1750-1830)
The majority of the musical pieces that were created within the classical period had greatly moved from the baroque era. The reason for that is because they kept on emphasizing the polyphonic texture. The same characteristic was also based on its single melodic compartments. As a result of that, there was the establishment of little musical texture with a more clarified melody (Meyer & Kirsten 511). The main characteristics of this musical piece include
1) The presence of a solo melody having numerous compartments. In this case, one voice had the potential of carrying the main melody whilst another voice playing a simple but complex line that had the propensity of supporting the same melody.
2) It has relatively large and different keys, dynamics, rhythms, and melodies
3) More contrast in every musical piece
4) The presence of clear and shorter melodies unlike those in baroque musical pieces
5) Relaying more emphasis on the majority of the instrumental music
6) Fundamental composition forms, for instance, string quartet, concerto, symphony, and sonata (Kjelland 40)
Romantic (1830-1920)
Romantic musical pieces are perceived as being one of the stylistic movements of the western classical music of the nineteenth century. Such an era can be said to be the romantic period. During this period, romantic music was closely associated with the concept of romanticism. The romanticism period consisted of the literacy and artistic movements that in return transpired to become prominent within the European nations between the years 1800 to 1910. During this time, romantic artists embarked on creating musical pieces that were extremely programmatic, emotional, dramatic, and individualistic (Bauer 16). Such a scenario reflected wider trends within the romantic literature movements, philosophy, art, and poetry. Romantic music was frequently inspired ostensibly by non-musical stimuli, for instance, plastic arts, poetry, nature, and literature. The majority of the music that was composed was characterized with great expression and compassion as compared to earlier periods. It can be deduced that romantic musical pieces displayed an expansion of forms such as instrumentation and keys of the music (Kjelland 40). The main characteristic of romantic music include
1) A free form as well as a more individual expression of feelings or emotions
2) A clear emphasis o the themes and the lyrical melodies of the music
3) A more modulation or alteration of keys to unexpected keys. The effect of this is that it difficult for the listener to anticipate what is likely to transpire in the next musical piece
4) More scales and chromaticism as compared to previous musical pieces
5) The presence of greater variety in rhythm, dynamics, and pitch
6) Little conventional chord progressions
7) Program musical note in which more pieces has the propensity of being inspired by artistic and/or literary sources
8) Relaying a huge emphasis on patriotism. What this implies is the fact that the majority of the composers had the potential of infusing cultural dances and/or songs into their musical works
Modern (1920-present)
The vast majority were conspicuous in differentiating between classical music into the modern era as well as in the preceding era in changing musical tones. Despite that the majority of the musical pieces of the common practice era were extremely tonal, it can be deduced that much of the modern music remains to be much tonal. Ideally, the modern classical period can be subdivided into 20th and 21st-century contemporary classic music (Kjelland 40).
For the 20th century modern classical music, it can be argued that varied greatly because it does not have any dominant musical style. Moreover, there is the use of dissonance. For the case of 21st-century modern classic music, it can be argued that it has a vast variety of musical styles including experimentation and minimalism. It contains various influences for instance the significance of technological advancements. The majority of modern classical music is composed based on what each film scores.
Work cited
Bauer, Helen, and Deborah Voigt. Verdi for Kids: His Life and Music : with 21 Activities. , 2013. Print.
Bober, Jonathan, Piero Boccardo, and Franco Boggero. A Superb Baroque: Art in Genoa, 1600-1750. , 2020. Print.
Hoffer, Charles R. Music Listening Today. Belmont, CA: Schirmer Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.
Kjelland, James. Strictly Strings: Orchestra Companion, Violin. Place of publication not identified: Alfred Pub Co, 1996. Print.
Max Camp. Teaching Piano – Softcover. Alfred Music, 2012. Print
Meyer, Stephen C, and Kirsten Yri. The Oxford Handbook of Music and Medievalism. , 2020. Print.
