Music from the Classical Eras - Essay Example

Music from the ical Eras Introduction Music is one of the cultural components of human societies. Similar to other components like religion, music has evolved with time. Characteristics of music in the medieval era are undeniably different from characteristics of music in later times. Evolution of music in classical times can be observed by analyzing the three consecutive eras; medieval, renaissance, and the baroque periods. Medieval is the period starting from 1000 to 1420. Renaissance is from 1420-1600 while baroque started from 1600 to 1750.

Each of these times in history had specific characteristics as portrayed by musical structure and musical instruments (Smith 25). Occasionally, certain similarities in musical characteristics may emerge between different eras. However, there are unique and notable distinction between musical styles from the medieval and that from baroque or renaissance periods. Medieval MusicMedieval, also referred to as the Middle Ages, is characterized by monophonic musical texture. Monophonic texture has a single melody.

Melodic lines are not only simple but also pure in vocal uniformity. In medieval music, the relationship between voices is in perfect consonance. In terms of accompanying sounds, medieval music used limited instruments. Absence of instruments can be witnessed in the iconic music, Canticles of Ecstasy by Hildegard. In fact, simple instruments like bells and flutes were introduced towards the end of the medieval period. Among the most famous composers of medieval music include Hildegard von Bingen from Germany, Guillaume, de Machaut from France and Francesco Landini from Italy (Smith 29).

Despite the difference in the composers’ cultural backgrounds, all their music had pure and solemn melodic textures. This style of solemnity and purity in melody is a unique characteristic of medieval music. Renaissance MusicRenaissance is synonymous to rebirth. This was a period of renewal. Renaissance witnessed increased advances in social, cultural and economic aspects of life. Music from this period evolved substantially. Medieval music was monophonic with pure melodies and limited use of instruments.

Contrarily, renaissance musical styles disregarded monophonic melodies at the expense of polyphonic melodies. In medieval music, there was no range in tonal variations. However, renaissance favored a wide range of tonal variation and often blended different tones to create intervallic polyphony (Smith 31). Unlike medieval music with only one tone, renaissance music comprised of two-four tones. Multiplicty in tones is evidenced in Farnon’s song, The Peanut Polka. In renaissance period, incorporation of instruments like trumpets, trombone and crumhorn led to better blending of chords.

Among the known composers of renaissance include Thomas Tallis from England and Josquin des Prez from France. Baroque MusicBaroque is the period when orchestra was created. In medieval and renaissance periods, soloists occupied the central stage of performances. In baroque, multiple performers came together to perform in orchestras. Apart from orchestra, music from the baroque period is known for enhanced harmony. Music from the renaissance period was polyphonic but had irregular combination of tones.

However, baroque is known for the smooth combination of multiple tones at the same time as evidenced by the song, Air by Bach. In order to enhance harmony, baroque musical styles introduced new instruments like keyboards and a wide range of string instruments like guitars (Smith 31). As acknowledged earlier, medieval and renaissance music had rigid conventions in terms of melody and instrumental use. On the other hand, baroque musical styles were experimental in nature. Renowned composers of this period like Johann Bach and George Handel introduced new harmonic patters while experimenting with random instruments.

ConclusionDespite the notable differences, music from these three periods had standardized textures in terms of melodic lines. Medieval music used single lines, while renaissance and baroque periods used multiple melodic lines. This standardization of melodic lines is responsible for the functional harmonics in music from these periods (Smith 37). In conclusion, it is acknowledgeable that musical styles progressed forward since medieval to baroque. Since medieval, each subsequent period ushered in improved use of melodic lines and instruments.

Work CitedSmith, Davidson. Historical Anthology of Music: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Musical Styles. New York: Cengage Learning, 2005. Print.