When many people think of music from the past, a common misstatement is that it all is "Classical Music." There is nothing wrong with this, as it is a convenient way to refer to the numerous periods of music from the past. I really don't think it is necessary to know the exact period of each work of music we listen to or play. However, I feel that every musician should have a brief knowledge of the layout of the periods of classical music. The major periods of music in the order they occurred are: the Baroque Period, the Classical Period, the Romantic Period, and the Contemporary (The 20th Century) Period.

In the mid- to later 1700's, a shift in styles became apparent once again. Emphasis in music shifted from elegant melodies to emotion and expression through this powerful art form. Composers developed new styles of music and added new instruments to the standard orchestra setup. The evident styles of the Romantic Period ran from around 1820 until the early 1900's.

One such style, that is still used by composers today, is the concert overture. Concert overtures emerged in the early 1800's and were a favorite of Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn's overtures were some of the most prominent of the period, and many composers modeled their concert overtures after the style he had used.

The Romantic Period also saw the first noticeable adaptations of folk music into the "classical" style. One composer that was responsible for this shift was Franz Schubert. Schubert took many of the German Lieder (folk songs) that were prominent throughout the country and arranged them into forms that are still used as art song standards in today's vocal repertoire. As time went on, nationalism became a major focus of the period. Many of the later works of the period sprouted from the patriotism that the composers felt. Folk songs from countries all across Europe were worked into symphonies, operas, and other works.

The bel canto style of opera also originated in this busy period of music. The tradition of the style is attributed to Rossini, and it was used in the operas of Donizetti and Verdi. It is the most common form of opera throughout all of the periods of music and is often lauded as the most emotionally powerful style.

The other great style that emerged during this period was the expressive piano composition style of Chopin and Schumann. Originally written to be played in salons across Europe, these pieces combine expressive music with expressive hand movement as well.

Eventually, composers began searching for new and innovative ways to compose their music. Style began shifting again and the Twentieth Century period began.

Composers of the Period: Franz Schubert, Hector Berlioz, Felix Mendelssohn, Frederic Chopin, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms, Peter I. Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Gabriel Faure, Edward Elgar, Giacomo Puccini.

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