The Periods of

Western Musical History

In the study and documentation of world history, it is common to

divide long spans of time into a series of "periods" in

order to more clearly understand the changes that took place over time. Historians refer to this as

"periodization.”

In the history of "Western music," most historians generally agree on the

existence of at least six different periods of musical history over the last 1000 to

1500 years.

These periods musical history are abstract concepts, formed in

retrospect, decades or hundreds of years after the fact. At the time that the changes in musical style and form were happening, most people were generally not aware

that a new period of music was beginning to take place.

The periods of musical history correspond to changes and

developments in music, changes and developments in the other arts

(such as painting, sculpture, architecture and literature) and changes and developments in

society as a whole.

Musical History Prior To The

Medieval Period

In the period of history prior to the Medieval period, little is

known about the music of the ancient Romans due to the fact

that so much of the ancient Roman culture was lost with the

fall of the Roman Empire.

From the documents and artifacts that survived, it is known that music was an

important part of Roman culture and that the Romans had a wide variety of musical instruments.

More information is known about the music of ancient Greece,

because some significant writings about ancient Greek

music have survived. The Greek system of musical tuning, which is not unlike the modern system,

was developed by the famous mathematician Pythagoras

(570 BC - 495 BC.)

Eight Periods of

Western Musical History

For the purposes of this course, we will use the following eight periods of Western

musical history.

Periods of Western Musical History

1. Medieval (476 A.D. to 1400 A.D.)2. Renaissance (1400 to 1600 A.D.)3. Baroque (1600 to 1750)4. Classical (1750 to 1820)5. Romantic (1820 to 1900)6. Impressionist (1875 to 1925)7. Modern (1900 to 1960)8. Post-Modern (1960-present)

(a.k.a. Contemporary)

It is important to note that the dates of these periods of music are approximate and

not all historians agree on the exact dates

of each period.

Periods of Western Musical History

1. Medieval (476 A.D. to 1400 A.D.)2. Renaissance (1400 to 1600 A.D.)3. Baroque (1600 to 1750)4. Classical (1750 to 1820)5. Romantic (1820 to 1900)6. Impressionist (1875 to 1925)7. Modern (1900 to 1960)8. Post-Modern (1960-present)

(a.k.a. Contemporary)