Preceden

Music Era Timeline

Events

Medieval Music Era

450 - 1450

Written for the church, about emotions. Influenced by the Feudal System and the church. Instruments are the Viol and Lute. Sounds liturgical, chanting and monophonic.

Hildegard von Bingen

1098

German writer, composer, and philosopher from the Medieval Era.

Harpischord

1397

A keyboard instrument invented in 1397, played by plucking the strings.

Printing Press

1440

A machine that prints information needed. Made it easier for music to be spread.

Renaissance Era

1450 - 1600

Written for the church and other communities, about reason. Influenced by the church. Instruments are the Pipe Organ and Harpischord. Neumes, polyphonic, vocal.

William Byrd

1543

English composer of the renaissance era. Wrote organ music and is best known for the development of the English madrigal.

Claudio Monteverdi

1567

Italian composer, singer, and catholic priest of the renaissance era. Huge part of the transition from renaissance to baroque.

Baroque Era

1600 - 1750

Written for the community, about reason. Influenced by art. Instruments are the Lute, violin, organ, and Harpischord. Sounds exaggerated, fast paced, and artistic.

Antonio Vivaldi

1678

Italian composer part of the baroque era, also a virtuoso for the violin. Influence was widespread across Europe.

Johann Sebastian Bach

1685

German composer and musician. Came from a family of musicians. Known for his counterpoint and wrote a lot of music pieces.

Piano

1731

The piano was invented in 1731. Played by pressing keys that activate a hammer to it it's strings to create sound.

Classical Era

1750 - 1825

Written for the church and communities, about reason. Influenced by by science. Instruments used were strings and woodwinds. Sounds more stringed, homophonic, secular. Rich people payed for music.

Ludwig van Beethoven

1770

German composer and a pianist. Very important in the transition from classical to romantic period. Learned a lot about music before the age of 7. Wrote the longest orchestra performance ever called "Symphony 9".

Percussion Instruments

1809

Percussion instruments became a part of the orchestra in 1809.

Richard Wagner

1813

German conductor, composer, and theatre director. Influenced nationalism in music.

Romantic Era

1825 - 1900

Written for the opera, about emotion. Influenced by feelings. Instruments are woodwinds and percussion. Sounds like nationalism, exoticism, and is instrumental. Middle class could pay to see operas.