Your Favorite Era of Classical Music

BaldJean wrote: I don't really have a favorite era; there is good music from all eras. Johann Sebastian Bach is my favorite composer, and I also very much like the music of Barbara Strozzi who is sadly way too little known; she deserves a lot more attention. But that does not make the Baroque my favorite era. for those to whom the name Barbara Strozzi means nothing, listen to these examples: her melody lines were extraordinary and ahead of her time

To call any period of classical "the best" is ignorant, considering two things: a) every period was developed by the previous periods b) every period has something different to offer, e.g Renaissance - modal harmony and organum, Baroque - contrapuntalism and mathematical approach, classical - sonata form and experimental textures, romantic - exploration of harmony and bombast, 20th century - all the isms (nationalism, serrealism, minimalism, impressionism) and on a whole a massive array of combinations of different periods and cultures (also the disintigration of tonality in serrealism...

It would be pretty ignorant to call any one of them the "best". However, my favourite, purely because I personally get more enjoyment out of it, is 20th century music.

The period when Glass and de Machaut played cards together.

Edited by hobocamp - March 06 2011 at 20:08

lucas wrote: ^ yes, it should be understood "best for you", or "your favourite". There is indeed no such thing as best era.   Nationalism appeared in the romantic era, with references to the local folklore (Chopin's mazurkas, Liszt's hungarian rhapsodies, Wagner's operas, Smetana's symphonic poems).   Sonata was already developed in the Baroque era, with "sonades en trio" in France (François Couperin) and the famous Scarlatti's sonatas for keyboard. Also it is worth mentioning the apparition of concerti (Vivaldi, Corelli, Albinoni).   Classical era saw the development of symphonies.

You are right in some ways, not so much in others. Indeed, in the Baroque era, there were pieces called "Sonatas" (which is Italian for "to play" correct me if I'm wrong). They were on of the two categories in small pieces of music, the other being "Cantatas", meaning "to sing". However, none of these - and I can say this in confidence - were in Sonata Form.

Sonata Form was introduced in the Classical era by Haydn, and boiled down to its simplest explanation, is as follows:

Exposition (introduction of all themes)
Development (twists and variations that build on the themes)
Recapitulation (re-introduction of the themes)

Which all symphonies are based around, strictly or loosely.

As I said in my original comment, Sonata Form was conceived in the Classcal era, not the term Sonata. A Baroque Sonata and a Classical Sonata are worlds apart.

Also, Brahms's Hungarian Dances, Chopin's Mazurkas etc... are the early foundations of Nationalism, however the actual subgenre itself began in the 20th century. These kind of Romantic Nationalist pieces are more Proto-Nationalism than anything... It would be a bit like saying that Jazz first started as soon as quartal harmony was discovered.

Technical death metal? No, let's listen to Brahms!

You'll probably find that to be more Prokofiev

The Pessimist wrote: lucas wrote: ^ yes, it should be understood "best for you", or "your favourite". There is indeed no such thing as best era.   Nationalism appeared in the romantic era, with references to the local folklore (Chopin's mazurkas, Liszt's hungarian rhapsodies, Wagner's operas, Smetana's symphonic poems).   Sonata was already developed in the Baroque era, with "sonades en trio" in France (François Couperin) and the famous Scarlatti's sonatas for keyboard. Also it is worth mentioning the apparition of concerti (Vivaldi, Corelli, Albinoni).   Classical era saw the development of symphonies. You are right in some ways, not so much in others. Indeed, in the Baroque era, there were pieces called "Sonatas" (which is Italian for "to play" correct me if I'm wrong). They were on of the two categories in small pieces of music, the other being "Cantatas", meaning "to sing". However, none of these - and I can say this in confidence - were in Sonata Form. Sonata Form was introduced in the Classical era by Haydn, and boiled down to its simplest explanation, is as follows: Exposition (introduction of all themes) Development (twists and variations that build on the themes) Recapitulation (re-introduction of the themes) Which all symphonies are based around, strictly or loosely. As I said in my original comment, Sonata Form was conceived in the Classcal era, not the term Sonata. A Baroque Sonata and a Classical Sonata are worlds apart. Also, Brahms's Hungarian Dances, Chopin's Mazurkas etc... are the early foundations of Nationalism, however the actual subgenre itself began in the 20th century. These kind of Romantic Nationalist pieces are more Proto-Nationalism than anything... It would be a bit like saying that Jazz first started as soon as quartal harmony was discovered.

My vote has put Romantic period in the lead. Although there are no losers with sublime music in each era.

The T wrote: Renaissance and earlier music tends to get old quickly...

so i guess you're not the one who voted Medieval era?

on topic, i have trouble choosing. My knowledge with classical is limited, in that, i have stuff by various composers from all eras (except medieval). I could tell you who my favorite composers are, but eras? nah i just dont know enough.


Edited by darkshade - March 07 2011 at 19:18

The_Jester wrote: That's where Wikipedia gets usefull. You can know te period of you're favorite composers.

The_Jester wrote: No one on the 21st Century? I tought it was rather popular among some proggies.

There is such a crossover from Contempory to 21st Century (and to some extent 20th Century) you could consider all three to be a split vote. Those composers that are working in the 21st century (Glass, Ligeti, Tavner, Nyman, Górecki  etc etc) have feet in many "camps";.

Come on guys, Ludwig and Wolfgang? I know, everything is subjective...