An introduction to the Western Classical tradition
I can describe key musical features of the three key periods within the Western Classical Tradition.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 10
- AQA
An introduction to the Western Classical tradition
I can describe key musical features of the three key periods within the Western Classical Tradition.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Western Classical Tradition refers to European art music since the Medieval period.
- The three key eras are the Baroque (1600-1750), Classical (1750-1820) and Romantic (1820-1910) periods.
- The Baroque period used a small orchestra with harpsichord and ornamented melodies. Bach was a key composer.
- Classical composers (e.g. Mozart) began to use the piano and most music had a clear melody and accompaniment.
- In the Romantic period music became much more complex, dramatic and emotive. Tchaikovsky was a famous composer.
Keywords
Western Classical Tradition - formal, notated European art music from the Medieval period to the 21st century
Baroque - a period of music history between 1600 and 1750
Classical - a period of music history between 1750 and 1820
Romantic - a period of music history between 1820 and 1910
Common misconception
Music from the Romantic period is all about love and romance.
The word Romantic in the musical sense has nothing to do with love or romance, this was just the name given to the period. The music was often intense, emotive and dramatic, and might sometimes link to ideas of love, but it was very varied.
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