Music throughout the Years

by Dexter Jones and Themis Orfanidis

Early flute

Music is a fundamental aspect of human culture and has been present in every society throughout history. It has the power to evoke emotions and bring people together, making it a universal language that goes beyond cultural boundaries and sparks a connection between people of all differences in all of its uses, be it for entertainment, religion or tradition.

The earliest evidence of musical expression can be traced as far back as the prehistoric times. Archaeological evidence suggests that musical instruments, such as flutes fashioned from animal bones, were used by early humans as far back as 40,000 years ago. These were used for both practical purposes, such as communicating over long distances, as well as for both religious and social rituals. Their music mainly consisted of percussion and wind instruments often crafted from makeshift materials such as the aforementioned bone as well as wood.

Next, the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome also had rich musical traditions. Greek music was an integral part of their religious ceremonies, as well as their theatre and sporting events. It was based on a system of modes, or scales (otherwise known as key signatures), that helped to determine the melody and harmony of a piece of music. Conversely, Roman music was greatly inspired by Greek music, but was more focused on entertainment and was often performed in public spaces like the circus and the amphitheatre. The Greeks mainly employed the use of instruments such as the kithara, a plucked string instrument, the lyre, similarly a string instrument, and the aulos, a double-reed instrument comparable to the modern day oboe. The Romans on the other hand mainly used brass instruments, such as the Roman tuba, a long curved tubular instrument called a ‘cornu’, and even an early version of the modern bagpipes.

Medieval music, from the 5th to the 15th centuries, was heavily influenced by religious and liturgical texts and practices. It was during this time that the concept of polyphony, or the simultaneous sounding of multiple melodic lines, was introduced. This allowed for the creation of more complex and layered pieces of music that could be performed by choirs and instrumental ensembles. The Catholic Church was the primary patron of music during this time, and many of the greatest composers of the period were associated with the Church. This includes individuals such as Stephen of Liège, Hildegard of Bingen and Fulbert of Chartres. During this time, instruments such as the vielle (a form of the violin), harp, flute, shawm (a sort of clarinet), bagpipe, and drums were all used during the Middle Ages to accompany dances and singing, whereas trumpets and organs were both mainly used in churches.

During the Renaissance period, from the 14th to the 17th centuries, music experienced a rebirth of interest alongside the arts and sciences in what is known as the Scientific Revolution. This period saw the development of new musical forms, such as the opera, as well as the introduction of new instruments like the violin family and the harpsichord. It was also during this time that music theory and composition became more systematic and structured, with composers like Giovanni da Palestrina and Claudio Monteverdi making significant contributions to the field. The lute was by far the most popular instrument during this period, with all of the previously mentioned Medieval instruments still being used and developed to become closer to their modern counterparts.

The Baroque period, from the late 16th to the early 18th centuries, was characterised by the development of complex and ornate musical styles, often featuring elaborate fugues and counterpoint. Some of the greatest composers of the Baroque period include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi. The harpsichord was born during this period, with early prototypes of the modern piano being created too. The entire modern violin family was also used as well as other notable mentions including the trombone, trumpet, bassoon and pipe organ.

Classical music, from the late 18th to the early 19th centuries, marked a departure from the ornate and complex styles of the Baroque period. Instead, composers of this period sought to create music that was more balanced, proportionate, and melodious. The works of composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Joseph Haydn are considered to be some of the greatest works of classical music. This time is when the modern piano was at the forefront of all music.

The Romantic period, from the late 18th to the late 19th centuries, was characterised by a focus on emotion, imagination, and personal expression. Romantic composers, such as Frédéric Chopin, Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms, sought to evoke powerful emotions through their music and often composed works that were inspired by nature, folklore, and personal experiences, as Romanticism often did. The piano was still extremely popular during this time. The symphony for orchestra, a large piece of music with four movements, was louder and longer. The improvement in instrumental build, along with the increased number of players, ensured that a romantic orchestra could have lots of dynamic contrast - including exaggerated crescendos, diminuendos and sforzando - and lots of timbral colour.

Finally, in the 20th century, music underwent major changes as new styles and forms emerged. Jazz, a musical genre that originated in African American communities in the southern United States, became a major influence on popular music and was soon adopted by musicians all over the world. The development of new technologies, such as recording and amplification, allowed for the creation of new musical forms, such as rock and roll, which became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Jazz often utilised different types of saxophone as well as the double bass and the piano, all mixed together to create this new and unique form of music.