Classical music began around the 4th century CE and has evolved over time. It was created using the highest musical skill and sophistication in Europe primarily. The document then discusses the major periods of classical music including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modernist periods. It provides details on the music, art, and technology of each period. Classical music is still being created today with composers mixing various styles.

1. What is it?
CLASSICAL MUSIC When was it
happening?
Who made it?

2. WHAT IS CLASSICAL MUSIC?
Art music Made, Created using Was written
primarily, in the highest down,
Europe skill and preserved,
sophistication and studied

3. WHEN DID CLASSICAL MUSIC HAPPEN?
 It began around the 4 th Century (300’s) and it is still being
made today
When people say Classical Music, they usually mean
Modernist
Baroque Music Classical Music Romantic
Music (not as
(Pronounced (yea, it has the Music (not lovey
modern as you
Buh – Rowke) same name) dovey at all)
may think)
Late 1700s to Mid 1800s to Early 1900s to
1620s to 1800
the early 1800s the early 1900s the late 1900s

4. HOW DID CLASSICAL MUSIC BEGIN?
In the 4th Century, people sang chants on one
melody. This was usually sung for religious
purposes.
In the 13th Century, two and three lines of music
were used at the same time to make it more
exciting.
In the Medieval Period (12th-15th Centuries),
instruments accompanied the singers and
music was written down for the first time.
In the Renaissance (14th-17th centuries), music
became more complex and moved into the
churches and the courts of the wealthy.

5. BAROQUE MUSIC
(1620’S TO EARLY 1800’S)
In Music
• Many voice woven together
• Music has many decorations and ornaments
• Important Musicians: J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel, A. Vivaldi
In Art
• Kings and Popes wanted the grandest and most emotional artworks
• Important Artists: Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and Rubens
In Technology
• Galileo Galilei used the microscope and telescopes to learn about
the world
• Newton also made great advances in mathematics and gravitation

6. CLASSICAL MUSIC
(LATE 1700’S TO EARLY 1800’S)
In Music
• Instrumental music is very popular: first real symphonies
• Modern Opera is developed
• Homophony is popular: One melody line and accompaniment
• Important Musicians: W.A. Mozart, F.J. Haydn
In Art
• Focus on landscapes and individuals (portraits)
• Art is supposed to show a sense of order
• Important Artists: Jacques Louis David, John Constable
In Technology
• Inventions like Gas Lighting, Steam Power, and the Cotton Gin kick off
the Industrial Revolution

7. ROMANTIC MUSIC
(MID 1800’S TO EARLY 1900’S)
In Music
•Orchestras and symphonies get bigger to capture louder, grander emotions
•Music tries to capture more dynamic moods: anger, power, frustration, beauty
•L.V. Beethoven’s ideas initiated the Romantic Period in music
•Important Musicians: R. Wagner, P. Tchaikovsky
In Art
•There’s a great interest in nature and emotions
•Artists try to see/paint things in new, innovative ways
•Important Artists: Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh
In Technology
•From Railroads and telephones to light bulbs and phonographs, new
inventions pop up and connect people, ideas, and art around the world.

8. MODERNIST MUSIC
(EARLY 1900’S TO LATE 1900’S)
In Music
•Musicians look for innovative ways to make music: no melody, every note at once,
no rhythm, etc.
•Music became very abstract and difficult to understand, but exciting and
spontaneous
•Important Musicians: Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg
In Art
•Artists created abstract images to re-create the way we see and understand the
world
•Important Artists: Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Gustav Klimt
In Technology
•In the 20th Century, the world moved faster than ever. Cars and Airplanes allowed
people to travel, radios and TVs brought entertainment into the home, and a great
many inventions that we use today were created during this period.

9. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW IN
CLASSICAL MUSIC?
 Today, musicians aren’t trying to be abstract
 Todays composers mix styles (folk music, pop music, jazz, etc)
into their classical works.
 Many composers use only the computer to produce their
musical ideas.
 Important Musicians: Steve Reich, John Williams