Early Music

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the the musical styles associated with the Renaissance period, beginning ca. 1450 and ending around 1600, and the Baroque period, commencing ca. 1620 until the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750. In regard to the Renaissance style, the music was generally quite uniform in structure and depended to a great degree on polyphony in which two or more independent melodies are juxtaposed in harmony. The music of the Baroque period was stylistically varied, especially within particular pieces such as J.S. Bach.

From the Paper:

"Generally considered as "Early Music," the musical styles associated with the Renaissance period, beginning ca. 1450 and ending around 1600, and the Baroque period, commencing ca. 1620 until the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750, share numerous musical traits which according to Steven Bentham revolve around "the application of stable harmony, polyphony and the progressive movement towards humanistic orientation" 1 in contrast to the musical style of the earlier Medieval period which was dominated by liturgical chant repertories. These traits are based on specific musical structures and methods which originated with the composers of the Renaissance period and were later adopted by musicians in the Baroque era. Certain Baroque composers continued to practice the Renaissance style well."

More papers on Early Music:

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• Descriptive Essay # 109005 : "Recording: "Consort Music for Viols"

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