Comparison of Musical Periods by Albert Lee 99(revised01)

Feature \ Period Baroque Classical Romantic 20th century(Modern)

General Regular, not too emotional Use simple music materials Express different feelings
Use different techniques
Tempo & Metre Steady, no aceel. & rit. Steady tempo Change frequently Change of metre in a piece
Slower at the end Little use of rubato Use of rubato Irregular metre
Rhythm Rhythm pattern follows Simple, usual More free in rhythm Unusual, irregular
Pattern of beginning Use of triplets etc Use of syncopation
Texture Homophonic Mainly homophonic Homophonic Homophonic &
Imitative polyphony Some polyphonic writings Contrapuntal(polyphonic)
Melody & Phrase Sometimes long phrases Short, balanced phrases Fairly long, expressive, Wide range of notes
Ornamented Ornamented, appoggitura Chromatic Big leaps
Harmony Triads of the key mainly Triads of the key mainly Rich, complicated chords Complex & unusual chord
Some suspension Some use of pedal Chromatic; use of pedal Always dissonant
Tonality & Key Diatonic Diatonic Diatonic Tonal or atonal
Modulated to related key Modulated to related key Modulated to ''far'' keys New types of scales
Form & Structure Binary(AB) Sonata form is developed Ternary Varied & complex
Baroq. suites with dances Not easy to define
Country dance Allemande, Gavotte Minuet Waltz,Mazurka,Polonaise
Gigue, Minuet, Polka "Hungarian dance''
Dynamics f or p for the whole movt. Change, but not greatly Change frequently Change frequently
Seldom cresc. & dim. Little cresc. & dim Wider range Great and dramatic
Articulation Semi-staccato(non legato) Staccato, legato, tenuto Staccato, legato, tenuto Wide range of articulation
Variety in articulation Along with accents
Composer Bach, Handel, Scarlatti Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven Chopin, Schumann, Liszt Debussy, Stravinsky
Mendelssohn, Brahms Bartok, Schoenberg