The time is about 3200 BC ~ 400 AD. This part of music materials can only come from archaeology, and can be understood from unearthed paintings, sculptures and a small number of poems, literature and philosophical works handed down, but it is almost impossible to listen and appreciate. According to statistics, there are less than 10 pieces of music left at this stage. However, from many cultural heritages such as sculptures left behind, we can see the glory and achievements of the past. The great philosophers in ancient Greece discussed and studied music, which was regarded as the source of western music by later generations.
The two epics from Homer's BC 12 century to the 8th century BC reflect the music culture of ancient Greece. Epic itself is both a literary work and a musical work. It is accompanied by a professional player "assistant" with a musical instrument called Kisala.
In 776 BC, the ancient Olympic Games began to be held, often accompanied by music in the competition, and then there was a music competition.
From the 7th century BC to the 6th century BC, Sparta further developed music as an important means of national activities and education.
After 146 BC, after the Roman conquest of Greece, its culture mainly benefited from Greece, and at the same time absorbed the civilization achievements of Syria, Babylon, Egypt and other countries.
2. Medieval music
After the collapse of the Roman Empire in 476 AD, Greek and Roman civilization declined. The Germans ruled the western half of Europe, which was called the "dark period" in history, that is, the "medieval period"
The church was the center of people's life at that time and played an important role in politics, economy and culture. Artists lived in religion, so art was closely related to religion at that time.
During this period, the music activities were greatly influenced by Christianity, and the music was mainly based on religious ceremonies or singing carols, with functions as the mainstay, such as Gregor's hymns. Most of the lyrics are taken from the Bible.
It is characterized by small melody fluctuation, lack of harmony foundation and simple playing.
The greatest contributors to medieval music were Bishop Ambrose of Milan and Pope Gregory I.
Around 390 AD, Ambrose popularized the two-part chorus of hymns, introduced harmony, and allowed laymen who were not monks or priests to participate in the singing. It is the development and popularization of church music.
Pope Gregory I, who was in power from 590 to 604 AD, compiled a set of music for solemn worship, and stipulated by law that there must be music in prayer ceremonies, forming a set of Gregorian hymns, which became a model of religious creation. Later, he developed notation. Although there was no bar line and staff at that time, the method of using high and low notation provided the foundation for the invention of staff. This symbol has only four lines, and each line is preceded by three lines. Schools were also established to train singers, and music was vigorously promoted within the sphere of influence of the church, making church music the main music form in Europe before 10 century.
3. Renaissance music
The Renaissance was about 1450- 1600. On the basis of "new art" in the Middle Ages, it pursues the liberation of human nature and the expression of people's inner feelings. At this time, under the impetus of humanism, musicians developed and reformed polyphonic music, and vocal music and instrumental music gradually separated and developed independently. During this period, the staff was perfected, and printing was also applied to the music score, which made the spread of music more convenient and extensive. During this period, there were the following influential music schools:
Dutch school of music
A group of musicians whose main musical activities are in Holland. Most of the creative contents are religious music such as prose songs and classic songs, as well as secular music. Representative figures include Du Fay, Joskin, Bian Shuya, Okegam, etc.
Venice Music School
1530- 1620 is a genre of instrumental music, which is characterized by broad and grand sound momentum and distinct contrast effect. The composition includes brass and string ensemble, organ prelude, fantasia and toccata. Representative figures include Vilat, A. Gabrielli, etc.
Roman school of music
During this period, the music schools that created and served religious works mainly appeared in the form of cappella. Representative figures include Palestrina, G.M. Nanino, F. soriano, etc.
4. Baroque music
Baroque music refers to the type of music that began to rise in Europe after the Renaissance and was popular before the formation of classical music, which lasted about 1600 to 1750 years.
The word baroque comes from the Portuguese word "Barocco", which means a pearl with imperfect shape. Originally a term in the field of architecture, it was gradually used in the fields of art and music. In the field of art, Baroque style is characterized by exquisite decoration and gorgeous style. The main reason for this phenomenon is that the Baroque period was the time when the nobles were in power, and the luxurious ostentation and extravagance in the resplendent court was the development center of new culture and art, which directly affected the musicians' creation. /kloc-most of the music works created by court musicians in the 7th and 8th centuries were for the social needs of the upper class. In order to show off the power and wealth of the nobles, the court music at that time had to show off the music and extraordinary bearing to create a pleasant atmosphere.
Baroque music is characterized by extreme luxury and a lot of decorative sounds. Strong, short and rhythmic rhythm, beautiful melody. Polyphonic music (polyphonic music) still dominates, major and minor tones have replaced church modes, and main melody music is also developing vigorously. So the polyphonic harmony is becoming more and more obvious. Polyphonic music reached its peak in the era of J.S. Bach.
Digital bass and improvisation are important parts of baroque, and the compilation of orchestra has not been standardized.
5. Classical music
Classical music refers to the mainstream music in Europe during the period of 1730- 1820, also known as Vienna classical music school. The three most famous composers of this genre are Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.
Classical music inherits the development of baroque music and is a musical style or an era in the history of European music. Symphony, solo concerto, string quartet, multi-movement sonata and other genres have appeared in this era. Sonata form and Rondo form became the most common forms of classicism and The Romantic Period, which had far-reaching influence until the 20th century. Compared with the Baroque period, the establishment of the orchestra has increased, and the orchestra led by the conductor has gradually become a routine. Modern piano appeared in the classical period and gradually replaced the position of harpsichord.
With the influence of the French Revolution on society, the composer's livelihood has also been affected, from the initial dependence on the support of the palace and the church to the independent operator.
6. Romantic music
Romanticism is mainly used to describe the literary creation during 1830- 1850 and the musical creation during 1830- 1900.
Romantic music is the continuation and development of classical music (Vienna classical school), and it is a musical style or an era in the history of western music.
Romantic music pays more attention to the expression of emotion and image than the music of Vienna classical school before, and relatively ignores the consideration of form and structure. Romantic music is often imaginative, and a considerable part of romantic music is influenced by unrealistic literary works, which has considerable title music components. Music creation from ancient times to the present contains romantic factors, not just a certain era, because music creation itself is the embodiment of imagination, and romanticism is the best embodiment of imagination.
Beethoven is a master and terminator of classical music and a pioneer of romantic music. Romantic music abandons the unity of classical music, emphasizes diversity, develops the role of harmony, depicts the special qualities of characters, and makes more use of tone sandhi and semitone. The representative of romantic opera is Weber and the representative of music is Schubert.
Romantic music embodies the trend of wide influence and national differentiation. In France, Berlioz, Rossini, Liszt, Chopin and Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky appeared. Romantic music gradually entered history in Wagner and Brahms era.