Classical Music - Essay Example

ical Music ical music is deeply rooted in the western liturgical and secular music. The development of classical music can be traced back from the 11th century to the present time. The main subject matters became to be codified between 1550 and 1900; this period is referred to as the common practice period. The history of classical music has been organized into various periods of development. When we talk about the history of classical music, we basically refer to thousands of years in its development and the considerable western influence and the ancient eastern music of the Asian continent. The various periods of classical music include: medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and the contemporary period. The period between the years 0 to 1400 AD, was described as the medieval period. It is the longest period of the classical music history. During this period, Saint Gregory is credited for organizing the larger parts of classical music that developed in first centuries of the Christian church. Saint Gregory was the pope from 490 to 604. The period is also characterized by the greater use of instruments, multiple interweaving of melodic lines and the use of bass instruments. Musical instruments that were used in the medieval period include: lute, vielle and psaltery, flute, Shawn, trumpet and the bagpipe. The second period of classical music development is called the Renaissance period. This period ranges from 1400 to 1600 AD. The renaissance period witnessed the introduction of the tradition which many music lovers readily associate with the normal feel of classical music. There was a great shift from modal system of harmony which had dominated the medieval period towards the organization of the music into major and minor scales (Grout and Jay, 2001, pp 20-99). These developments imparted strong sensation into each piece of classical music leading to a definite tonal centre or key. Other developments in the type of instruments being used were noted, keyboard instruments such as the clavichord and harpsichord were introduced. The Baroque period (1600- 1750 AD) saw the introduction of complex tonal counterpoint and the use of a continuous bass line. Playing music by the use of keyboards became increasingly popular; music was formally played on such instruments as the harpsichord and the pipe organ. In addition, the families of violin stringed instruments being used today were introduced in the baroque period. The period also includes the compositions of great works of art such as poetry, theatre, the visual arts and music. Other developments include the ability of classical music to express human emotions and depict natural phenomenon was explored in the baroque period (Grout and Jay, 2001, pp 20-99). Imitative polyphony remained to be very important to the musical composition of classical music however, homophonic writing of songs became increasingly more important. Homophonic writing is more advantageous than polyphonic writing; homophonic music features a clear distinction between the melody line and a subsidiary accompaniment part. The homophonic style was instrumental in the development of opera and other solo vocal music before it shifted its attention to the listener of the melody. Some of the works composed in the baroque period include a continuo part in which a keyboard and a bass instrument combine together to produce the harmonic underpinning of chords that accompanies the melodic lines. Classical period (1750-1800 AD) saw the introduction of a form of classical music which has dominated instrumental composition to the present day: sonata form. The period also saw the introduction and the development of the modern concerto, symphony, sonata, trio and quartet to a new peak of structural and expressive refinement (Grout and Jay, 2001, pp 20-99). The important developments in the classical period can be credited to several composers whose names are now largely forgotten. Schubert and Honnauer, German composers based in Paris are some of the great composers of the classical period. Other more historically respected names during the classical period include Gluck, Boccherini, Carl Phillip Emmanuel, Wilhelm Friedman and Johann Christian (the London Bach). The classical period is described as a gradual move a way from the artifice of baroque period and a move to an entirely new novel style based on symmetry and sensibility. These developments came to dominate the classical music of the latter half of 18th century through two great composers such as Joseph Haydn and Wolfang Amadeus Mozart. The romantic period (1800-1900 AD) saw great composers of classical music attempting to balance the expressive and the formal in music using a variety of approaches which could not be used by composers in the classical period. This period also saw wide competition among composers which led to the opening up of the musical map. Composers emphasized on the search for originality and individuality of expressions which has become an over-riding obsession in the present century (Grout and Jay, 2001, pp 20-99) In addition the period has seen the most difficult music being performed with a great ease. Other developments that emerged was the widening of the emotional range of the classical music by improving on the harmony of the vocabulary and its range as well as a number of instruments being used to play classical music. Music of this period often had a theme attached to it either of tragic or despairing nature to he audience. Some greater part of the period also saw composers embracing whole-heartedly the ideals of romanticism (Grout and Jay, 2001, pp 20-99). Some of the leading composers of the romantic period include Berlioz, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt and Verdi. The last period is called the contemporary period started from around 1900 to the present. This period has seen drastic changes in the classical music which is marked by the rejection of certain values of the common practice period such as the traditional tonality, melody, instrumentation and structures (Grout and Jay, 2001, pp 20-99). Music composed in the late 20th century through to the present day is what is commonly referred to as the contemporary music. The development of music in the 20th century is largely due to the technological advancements. Composers have been able to use electronically generate sounds used both on their own and in combination with traditional instruments. In the recent years, computer technology has been used in a variety of ways, including the manipulation of instruments in real time. Great composers One of the greatest composers of classical music is called Joseph Canteloube. Born on 21st October 1879 and died on 4th November 1957, Joseph was a French composer best known for his collections of orchestrated folksongs from the Auvergne region. Joseph studied piano from the age of four. Conteloube (Joseph) composed his first song “farmstead” in Occitan language to his own language (libretto) from the year 1910 to 1913. Farmstead won Joseph the Prix Heugel in 1925, later he was awarded the one hundred thousand francs prize. Canteloube composed several song collections and albums of songs such as rouergue, limousine and Quercy, and regional religious songs. Ottorino Respighi is also one of the greatest classical music composers. Ottorino was born on 9th July 1837n in Bologna Italy and died on 18th April 1936. Some of his best songs include roman trilogy, fountains of Rome, pines of Rome and roman festivals. Ottorino was also an enthusiastic scholar of Italian music. His publications include editions of the music of Claudio Monteverdi and Antonio Vivaldi. Unlike most neo-classical composers, he preferred combining pre-classic melodic styles and musical forms with typical late 19th century romantic harmonies and textures. Conclusion Classical music is known for its simple, clear music, balanced themes, and defined harmony rather than the heavy, formal music of the past. The main intention of classical music was to be the most tuneful and elegant with dances. Some people think that classical music is anything that is played in a concert hall. It is important that for people to know that classical music is any music that has a lasting value such as classical jazz or pop. Classical music can be found in every place ranging from restaurants, supermarkets and on television. Lastly, popular music may be seen as a clear definition of classical music. However, one important difference between classical music and popular music lies in the logical connections that exist between the beginning and end. Popular music tends to present its subject matter without development, the music ends when interest has been fully exploited. Works cited DJ Grout and Donald Jay. A history of western music. New York, Norton, 2001, pp 20-99. Read More