Area of Study: Western Classical Music 1600-1910
The Western classical tradition from about 1600 to 1910, split into the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, their characteristic features, and how to place a piece by listening for a few clear clues.
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Western classical music 1600 to 1910
One of the four areas of study is the great tradition of Western classical music, stretching from about 1600 to 1910. Across these three centuries the music changed enormously, and it is usually split into three periods. The Baroque period, roughly 1600 to 1750, is ornate and busy, full of decoration and steady, driving rhythms. The Classical period, roughly 1750 to 1810, prizes balance, clarity and neat, tuneful phrases. The Romantic period, roughly 1810 to 1910, turns to strong emotion, drama and rich harmony. This area of study includes both choral music, written for voices, and orchestral music, written for instruments. The skill is to listen for a few clear features and place a piece in the right period with confidence.
Words for classical music
Learn these terms before the periods are matched up. They name the ideas used in this area of study.
Match each period to a feature
- the Baroque period
- the Classical period
- the Romantic period
- an orchestra
- ornamentation
- ornate music from about 1600 to 1750
- balanced and clear, from about 1750 to 1810
- expressive and dramatic, from about 1810 to 1910
- a large group of instruments playing together
- added decoration to a melody
Baroque against Romantic
The earliest and latest of the three periods sound very different, and comparing them makes the whole range clearer.
Which period is this?
A piece is calm and balanced, with neat, tuneful phrases that answer one another and a clear, simple structure. Which period does it most likely belong to?
- The Classical period
- The Baroque period
- The Romantic period
- None of these periods
How to spot the period
When you listen for the period, focus on a few clues rather than trying to name everything at once. Listen for how busy and decorated the music is: lots of added twirls and a steady, driving feel often point to the earliest style. Listen for how clear and balanced it sounds, with neat phrases that answer one another, which suggests the middle style. And listen for sweeping music with big changes in volume and rich harmony, which suggests the latest style. Notice the size of the forces too, and whether voices lead or instruments do. A few reliable clues, checked calmly, beat a wild guess every time.
Pick the features of Baroque music
Select every feature that is typical of Baroque music.
- Ornate, decorated melodies
- Steady, driving rhythms
- Often one main mood per piece
- Electronic drum machines
- Rapped vocals
Order the periods in time
Put these moments in the history of classical music into order, earliest first.
- Around 1600 the Baroque period begins
- Ornate, decorated styles flourish
- Around 1750 the Classical period brings balance
- Around 1810 the Romantic period brings strong emotion
- By about 1910 this Romantic period is ending
Complete the classical music facts
The earliest of these periods, running from about 1600 to 1750, is the _____ period. The middle period, prized for balance and clear form, is the _____ period. The later period, full of strong emotion and drama, is the _____ period. Across all three, the large group of instruments that plays together is the _____.
Tap the two Romantic features
Read these four features of a piece. Tap the TWO that point to the Romantic period.
- sweeping, strongly emotional melodies
- big, dramatic changes in volume
- short, neat and perfectly balanced phrases
- plain, undecorated single lines
Three styles of building
Think of the three periods like three styles of building. The earliest is like a palace covered in carved detail and gold, every surface decorated, grand and busy. The middle style is like a calm, balanced house with even windows and clean lines, pleasing because everything is in proportion. The latest style is like a soaring cathedral built to stir strong feeling, with dramatic height and sweeping shapes. You do not need to read a label to tell them apart; you learn to feel the difference. Music of these three ages works the same way, and once your ear knows the styles, you can place a piece in seconds.
The classical music run
Answer each one correctly to keep your lives. Choose the best answer.
Name that period
Read each situation and choose the best answer.
- A busy, highly decorated piece with driving rhythm and one steady mood. Which period?
- A sweeping, emotional piece with huge changes in volume and rich harmony. Which period?
- You must place an unfamiliar piece in a period. What is the best approach?
Build a period point
Choose the word for each gap to complete one point about the three periods.
Explain the three classical periods
A friend cannot tell classical music periods apart. Using what you have learned, explain the three periods of Western classical music from 1600 to 1910.
- Explain roughly when each of the three periods falls
- Explain what Baroque music sounds like
- Explain what makes Classical music different
- Explain what makes Romantic music different
- Explain how to listen for a few clues to place a piece