Transcript Music History and Composer Study

Music History and
Composer Study
Spring 2015
Lake Nona MS
Ms. Hobbs
Introduction
 Music has been a part of culture for thousands of years.
It has evolved over time to have a variety of sounds and
uses.
 People who study music have divided history
into SIX general time periods of music.
 Each time period has certain characteristics and
composers that help define their era.
The six time periods are (in chronological order):
Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and
20th Century (Modern)
Medieval
(500-1400)
• Most medieval music
was vocal.
• Any instrumental music
was usually folk-like and
social
• The church was an
important place for
musicians
Medieval (5001400)
Gregorian Chant
Originally created and
sung in monasteries by
monks.
Chants were religious,
often psalms or
scripture.
Named after Pope
Gregory the Great.
Renaissance (1400-1600)
Rebirth and
Re-discovery
• Art and music become
more important in
society
• Renaissance fairs are
held today, and are a
spectacle of art, music,
and theatre.
• Time of Christopher
Columbus, Leonardo da
Vinci, and Shakespeare
Giovanni da Palestrina (15251594)
 Italian composer of sacred
music
 He greatly influenced the
music of the Catholic
Church. (He wrote over 100
masses!)
 One of the first well-known
composers of polyphonic
music (music with
harmonies)
Missa Papae Marcelli
Pope Marcellus Mass
 Pope Marcellus Mass by Pro Cantione Antiqua
 Composed in honor of Pope Marcellus II
 Written for six a capella voices – SATTBB (Soprano and
Alto parts were not sung by women!)
 Like all masses, consists of multiple movements (Kyrie,
Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei)
Baroque (1600-1750)
Baroque
Characteristics
• The Baroque period was a
time of extravagance in all
forms. Art, music, and
architecture reflect a new
sense of drama and excess.
• Instrumental music
becomes more important.
• Music in general continues
to be more expressive, less
tied to religion.
Johann Sebastian
Bach
(1685-1750)
• Born in Germany to a
musical family
• Played many instruments,
but was considered a
virtuoso on the organ
• Church musician
throughout his life.
Composed an enormous
amount of music for the
church.
• Had 20 children!
Toccata and Fugue in D
Minor
 Written by Bach for his most beloved instrument
 A toccata is a composition written for a keyboard
instrument composed in a ‘free style’ (no set structure).
 A fugue is a very structured piece that repeats one
particular theme/melody many times throughout,
harmonized with different melodies.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY
George F. Handel
(1685-1759)
 Originally studied law
because his father did not
approve of his son
becoming a full-time
musician.
 Lived in Germany, Italy,
and England at different
times in his life and
composed in German,
Italian, and English
Hallelujah Chorus from
Messiah
 Part of an oratorio (a musical work written for chorus,
vocal soloists, and orchestra). Often with a religious text.
 Most often performed during the Christmas season.
 King George II stood upon hearing its magnificence;
many audiences still stand today.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
 Italian composer, also ordained as a priest.
Because of this and his fiery red hair, he was
nicknamed ‘The Red Priest’
 Spring from The Four Seasons
 Violin Concerto
 A concerto is a musical work for solo
instrument, often accompanied by an orchestra
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjpLxlSMJ
Po