What is Classical Music?

Did you know that much of what people call "Classical Music" really isn't? Technically speaking, classical music only refers to musical compositions from a specific period in history. This may seem nit - picky and academic, but knowing the boundaries of classical music can make it easier to find music you like when perusing the classical music section of your favorite music store whether it is of the brick and mortar or click and mortar variety.

Here's a brief overview of the different periods of music that typically fall into what people refer to as classical music.

Medieval music	to about 1450
Renaissance music	1450 - 1600
Baroque music	1600 - 1750
Classical music	1750 - 1810
19th-century Romanticism	1810 - 1910
20th-century music	1900 onwards

Music in the Middle Ages (400-1400)

Music in the Middle Ages was primarily religious in nature, and chant-like. The technical term for this is monophonic, literally "single note". Medieval composers viewed their art as a means of glorifying God. Often working in monasteries, they composed in plainsong, using a single clear vocal line primarily to convey the words and meaning of the sacred texts. Monophonic music consists solely of the melody, with no accompaniment. The most famous type of music from this era is the Gregorian Chant, named after Pope Gregory I (590-604). Gregorian chants are meditative and extremely relaxing. Outside the church, 12th and 13th century French Troubadours wrote songs which gave a clear idea of pitch but not of note-values and were probably performed with instrumental accompaniment.

Representative composers: Hildegard, Machaut, Dunstable.

Renaissance music (1400-1600)

Polyphony, two or more musical voices, became more popular during this time. Music was often written for specific instruments for accompaniment, and to entertain nobility at ballroom dances. The recorder, an early precursor to the flute and piccolo, and the lute, an ancestor to the modern guitar, were two of the most popular instruments of the day. Most composers wrote for just one employer and their work was kept for his use alone. A few composers became famous, (e.g. Dufay and Ockeghem) and many people travelled to hear their works. When music-printing was invented (1473), music was published and carried new ideas all over Europe.

Representative composers: Des Pres, Palestrina, Lassus, Byrd.

Baroque Music (and sometimes Rococo) (1600-1750)

The word "Baroque" means: extravagant or complex, especially ornamental. This was the age of wigs, decorative coats and lace. The music of the time reflects these trends. Simplicity was replaced by complex harmonic textures. Counterpoint, the use of two or three melodies played at the same time, as well as frequent harmonic changes became prominent. Polyphony was further enhanced to what is known as "Imitative Polyphony," which was typically a melodic line that would be picked up and echoed in turn by each instrument in the orchestra. This is known as a "round" when used in vocal arrangements. The children's song Row, Row, Row Your Boat is often sung in a round.

Dances continued to remain popular but new forms of music such as toccatas and fugues, suites, preludes, theme and variations also rose to prominence. The new instrument on the scene was the keyboard. This era saw music written for such keyboard instruments as the harpsichord, clavichord and organ; all of which were ancestors to the modern day piano. Music was also written for oboe, flute, bassoon and various horns. Recorders became less favorable and violins, viola and cellos became popular. There is a transition period between the end of the Baroque era and the beginning of the classical, called the Rococo period. This is mostly a matter of academic distinction, as much of the music is similar to the layperson.

The major musical form to emerge from this period was the concerto. Concertos were written in contrasting sections called movements, and usually featured a soloist. Perhaps the most famous example of a concerto from the baroque period is Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Representative composers: Purcell, Corelli, Couperin, Bach, Handel, Telemann.