Descriptions of Historical Periods

Question 1

Middle Ages

Answer 1

Major genres include plainchant and Gregorian chant. This era of music is known for monophonic texture and free-flowing, non-metric rhythms. (476-1450)

Question 2

Renaissance

Answer 2

Genres from this era include the madrigal, the motet, and music for religious masses. This era was considered a “rebirth” for knowledge in art, music, and literature. (1450-1600)

Question 3

Baroque

Answer 3

Known for homophonic texture and major/minor tonality, genres from this period encompass opera, oratorios, dance suites,, concertos, and fugues. (1600-1750)

Question 4

Classical

Answer 4

Homophonic texture with the emergence of string quartets and symphonies. The three major Viennese composers of the Classical era were Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart.

Question 5

Romantic

Answer 5

Genres such as the lied and the characterpiece, known for being more about love, passion, and dreams; as opposed to Classical, which was during the Enlightenment and centered around knowledge.

Question 6

20th Century

Answer 6

Saw the emergence of jazz and blues, the Harlem Renaissance brought African American artists into the picture, and experimentalists like John Cage and Arnold Schoenberg tried new musical techniques..