Baroque 1600-1750

- distinguished composers- Bach, Vivaldi, Purcell, Couperin, Purcell, Corelli

- Characteristics
o polyphonic
o no piano, only harpsichord and clavichord
o lack in dynamics notation for keyboard works
o terraced dynamics- sudden change in dynamics (no cresc., dim.)
o figured bass
o unity of mood
o circle of fourth progression
o excessive use of ornamentations
o mostly very diatonic (no accidental)
Classical 1750-1820
- distinguished composers- Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Gluck,
Clementi
- characteristics
o homophonic
o Alberti bass
o more contrast mood
o clearer melody
o use of crescendo, dim.
o more chromaticism, less diatonic (some accidentals but not as much
as romantic era)
Romantic 1820-1900
- distinguished composers- Liszt, Schumann, Chopin, Wagner, Brahms,
Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Saint Sean
- characteristics
o homophonic
o lyrical melody
o heavy emphasis on melody
o more chromaticism than classical era
o very expressive