History of Music

Question 1

When was Medieval period of music

Answer 1

10th to 14th century

Question 2

When was Renaissance period of music

Answer 2

15th - 16th century

Question 3

When was Baroque era of music

Answer 3

1600- 1750

Question 4

When was Classical era of music

Answer 4

1750- 1822

Question 5

When was Romantic era of music

Answer 5

1820’s- 1890’s

Question 6

When was Contemporary era of music

Answer 6

1890’s onwards

Question 7

When did Modern or popular era start

Answer 7

1930’s onwards

Question 8

Give some features of medieval and renaissance music

Answer 8

Plain-chant, Was the first notated music. Featured organum (harmony in 5th an 8ves which Monks sang in)

Question 9

Explain Organum

Answer 9

(harmony in 5th an 8ves which Monks sang in)

Question 10

What does the term baroque mean

Answer 10

‘oddly shaped pearl’

Question 11

Name three composers of the era

Answer 11

J.S.Bach
Handel
Scarlatti

Question 12

Give some features of Baroque music

Answer 12

Music was extremely decorative
Continuo was the harpsichord or the organ with cello
Figured Bass
Keyboard instruments organ and harpsichord
Woodwind and Strings
Polyphonic

Question 13

Give two examples of compositions from the baroque era

Answer 13

J.S Bach - Brandenburg Concerto

Handel - Messiah

Question 14

Give two examples of compositions from the Classical era

Answer 14

Mozart-Magic Flute, Rondo Alla Turca

Beethoven-Moonlight Sonata

Question 15

When was piano invented and by whom

Answer 15

1755 by B.Cristofori

Question 16

Give features of classical music

Answer 16

Melodies are less decorative
Homophonic texture
Strings and Woodwind are the typical orchestra
Piano replaces organ and harpsichord

Question 17

Name three composers of the classical era

Answer 17

Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven

Question 18

What does Classical with capital c mean

Answer 18

Classical refers to the art music composed roughly between 1750s and the early 1820s. Reflects an elegant melody line.

Question 19

Give two examples of romantic music

Answer 19

Greig - In the Hall of the Mountain King

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake

Question 20

Explain Programme music

Answer 20

Music composed to represent emotion/story/nature/idea

Question 21

Give any additions/improvements to the orchestra during the romantic era

Answer 21

Percussion family introduced and used
Brass family we know today was created with valve system. Used more prominently in orchestra.
Harp introduced to strings- Berlioz 1833

Question 22

Give some features of Romantic music

Answer 22

Nationalism and love themes
Technical ability of instruments - more dynamics and solos
Additions to orchestra
Connecting themes - ‘leit motif’ / ‘idee fixe’
Programme music
Homophonic and polyphonic
modulation to chromatic keys (emotion/story)

Question 23

Name three contemporary composers and what they were known for

Answer 23

Schoenberg - 12 tones ‘serialism’
Stephen Reich - Rhythms
John Cage - Silence

Question 24

Give some features of Contemporary music

Answer 24

Stretching boundaries of chromatisism and modulation
Rules of tonality were abandoned (freedom)
No form
Not functional - not written for a reason
Instruments not played in a traditional way.

Question 25

What are the names Wagner and Berlioz gave connecting themes

Answer 25

‘leit motif’

‘idee fixe’