I've been working to get a better understanding of history and culture to prepare myself for teaching my son on many topics. One of the exercises we do every week is to listen to music other than pop music. To do this properly, I've been really diving deep, not just in Europe, but around the world. Today, I've been digging into the history of European music, specifically classical music.

The period before 500 CE is commonly referred to as "Antiquity." This period covers a broad range of time, from the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. During this time, ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians developed their own unique styles of music, art, and architecture, which had a lasting influence on the development of Western art and culture. During Antiquity in Northern Europe, music was an important part of religious and cultural practices among various tribes and civilizations. However, limited historical records and musical artifacts from this time have made it difficult to determine the specific musical styles and practices that were prevalent in Northern Europe during Antiquity.

I've listened to some examples of music from antiquity such as the hymn to apollo, and it seems like they did have somewhat complicated polyphonic music, so just because it seems like there's a straight line ahead from monophonic music doesn't mean that this is where music started.

Here's a rundown of different periods post-antiquity, centered around major musical movements.

Medieval Music (c. 500-1400): During the medieval period, Western Europe was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church, which had a significant impact on the development of music. The Church's preference for plainchant, or monophonic music, was due to the religious and liturgical nature of the music. It was believed that the single melody of plainchant was better suited for expressing devotional and contemplative texts. Additionally, the lack of musical notation during this period made it difficult to preserve and perform complex polyphonic music. An example of this period is "Gregorian Chant" by various composers. Notable art for the period included Gothic architecture, such as Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres Cathedral, and Salisbury Cathedral. Notable historical and geopolitical events of the era are the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE), and the rise of the Catholic Church as a major cultural and political force.

During the Medieval Era, music was primarily religious in nature and was commissioned by the Church. Monks and priests were the main composers and performers of this music, and it was performed in monasteries, cathedrals, and churches. Music was used as part of religious rituals, such as the Mass and other liturgical celebrations, and was often performed by choirs and vocal ensembles. Music was also used for entertainment purposes and was performed at royal courts and festivals.

Listening to some examples of this music, it's really just a monophonic straight line of notes. If you never heard other music I can see it being beautiful, but lonely.

Renaissance Music (c. 1400-1600): The Renaissance was a time of great cultural and artistic revival in Europe, and music was no exception. The invention of musical notation and the development of printing made it possible to preserve and distribute music more widely. Polyphonic music, which had been practiced in the courts of noble families and among the Catholic clergy, became more widespread during this period. The humanist movement of the Renaissance also placed a greater emphasis on individual expression and creativity, which influenced composers to experiment with new forms and styles. An example of this period is "Missa Papae Marcelli" by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Notable art for the period included paintings by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci (The Last Supper, Mona Lisa), Michelangelo (David, Sistine Chapel Ceiling), and Raphael (The School of Athens, Sistine Madonna). Notable historical and geopolitical events of the era are the discovery of the New World (1492), and the Protestant Reformation (1517).

The Renaissance was a period of great cultural and artistic flourishing, and music was no exception. During this time, music became more secular in nature and was commissioned by royalty, wealthy patrons, and the Church. Composers, such as Giovanni da Palestrina and Claudio Monteverdi, wrote music for both religious and secular purposes, and their works were performed in courts, cathedrals, and other venues. Music was also spread through the printing of sheet music, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

Listening to the music of the Renaissance is really beautiful, polyphonic, playing with harmonies in fantastic ways. Misa Papae Marcelli sounds like an expansion of the gregorian chants.

Baroque Music (c. 1600-1750): During the Baroque period, music became more ornate and elaborate, reflecting the opulent and grandiose style of the courts of Europe. The rise of the middle class and the growth of cities also created new opportunities for musicians and composers, who were often employed by churches, courts, and other institutions. The Baroque period is known for its use of complex musical forms, such as the concerto and the opera, and for its use of large orchestral ensembles. An example of this period is "Brandenburg Concertos" by Johann Sebastian Bach. Notable art for the period included Paintings by artists such as Caravaggio (The Calling of St. Matthew, The Conversion of Saint Paul), Rubens (The Elevation of the Cross, The Descent from the Cross), and Rembrandt (The Night Watch, Self-Portrait with Two Circles). Notable historical and geopolitical events of the era are the Thirty Years' War, and the scientific revolution and the works of scientists like Galileo and Newton.

The Baroque Era saw the development of elaborate musical forms, such as the opera, the concerto, and the sonata. Music was commissioned by royalty and wealthy patrons, and was performed in courts, churches, and opera houses. The Baroque era also saw the rise of professional musicians and composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, who wrote music for public performances and private concerts. Music was also spread through published sheet music, music journals, and the widespread use of instruments such as the harpsichord and violin.

Listening to this music really invokes the feeling of "classical music" in the way I'd think of it normally. It's complex compared to the simple polyphonics of the renaissance era, but it's a sort of naive complexity. Straightforward in its complexity if that makes any sense.

Classical Music (c. 1730-1820): The classical period was characterized by a focus on clarity, balance, and elegance in musical expression. The music of this period was inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason and rationality. The symphony and sonata became the dominant forms of classical music, and composers such as Mozart and Beethoven made significant contributions to these forms. The growth of public concerts and the development of music publishing also made classical music more accessible to a wider audience during this period. An example of this era is "Symphony No. 40 in G minor" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, or "Moonlight Sonata" by Ludwig van Beethoven. Notable art for the period included sculptures by artists such as Antonio Canova (Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss, Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix), Jacques-Louis David (The Death of Marat, The Oath of the Horatii), and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (Napoleon I on his Imperial Throne, The Turkish Bath). Notable historical and geopolitical events of the era are the American Revolution, and the French Revolution.

The Classical Era was a time of great musical innovation and experimentation, and was marked by the works of composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Joseph Haydn. Music was commissioned by royalty, wealthy patrons, and the middle class, and was performed in opera houses, concert halls, and private homes. The rise of public concerts and music festivals also helped to spread music to a wider audience.

Listening to this music, you can really hear the multiple layers of complexity that interplay in interesting ways.

Romantic Music (c. 1815-1910): Romantic music was characterized by its emotional intensity and its focus on individual expression. The Romantic movement was a reaction against the Enlightenment and its focus on reason and rationality. Composers of this period sought to express their own personal feelings and emotions in their music, and they often used music to evoke a sense of mystery, wonder, and awe. The use of larger orchestras and sweeping melodies became more common during this period, as did the use of musical forms such as the symphonic poem. An example of this era is "Nocturne in E-flat major" by Frédéric Chopin, or "Symphony No. 5" by Ludwig van Beethoven. Notable art for the period included paintings by artists such as Caspar David Friedrich (Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, Monk by the Sea), Eugene Delacroix (Liberty Leading the People, The Death of Sardanapalus), and J.M.W. Turner (The Fighting Temeraire, The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons). Notable historical and geopolitical events of the era are the Industrial Revolution, and the growth of nationalism and the rise of nation-states in Europe.

The Romantic Era was a time of great emotional expression in music, and was characterized by the works of composers such as Frédéric Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Richard Wagner. Music was commissioned by wealthy patrons and was performed in concert halls and opera houses. The rise of the middle class and the expansion of public education also helped to spread music to a wider audience.

Listening to this eras music, I can really hear it, that it isn't necessarily massively more complex than the classical era, but I find the works I listened to were much more in your face evocative.

Modern Classical Music (c. 1900-present): Modern classical music encompasses a wide range of styles and genres that developed during the 20th and 21st centuries. The rejection of traditional musical forms and the experimentation with new techniques and structures were hallmarks of this period. The rise of serialism, minimalism, and aleatoric music reflected the cultural and intellectual movements of the time, including the rejection of traditional values and the embrace of new technologies. An example of this is "Pierrot Lunaire" by Arnold Schoenberg, or "Music for 18 Musicians" by Steve Reich, or "4'33"" by John Cage. Notable art for the period included paintings by artists such as Pablo Picasso (Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Guernica), Georges Braque (The Portuguese, Violin and Palette), and Salvador Dali (The Persistence of Memory, The Temptation of Saint Anthony). Notable historical and geopolitical events of the era are World War I and World War II, the rise of popular music, the advent of electronic and digital technology, and the globalization of culture.

The Modern Era of classical music has seen the development of new musical styles and forms, as well as the continuation of traditional classical music. Music is commissioned by a variety of organizations, including orchestras, opera companies, and music festivals, and is performed in concert halls, opera houses, and other venues. The widespread availability of recorded music and the internet has also made it easier for people to access and enjoy classical music.

I hate to say it, but the examples of modern classical music really seemed terrible. It's like we took these eras of music and threw away everything about music because we were mad there was a couple bad wars. I hope I just was unlucky.