Music genres

The term genre refers to a particular category or distinct style of music (or of film, literature, or other creative products). A genre or category is defined by various conventions or typical characteristics that have developed over time. Conventions refer to typical stylistic criteria, characteristics, or standards that artists and the public have come to expect, for example, in the various musical forms, techniques and characteristics that audiences of a particular genre expect. The term genre (pronounced /ʒɑn.ɹə/ among more academic or formal speakers, or more informally, /dʒɑn.ɹə/) derives from the French genre /ʒɑn.ɹə/, meaning 'kind, sort'.

A well developed and popular genre music can have subtypes, or subgenres. Whether one speaks of a major style as a genre or subgenre can depend on context. For example, in the overall context of music, one could refer to rock/pop, jazz, classical, country, folk music, and others as genres. But within the context of, say, jazz, where very well developed and distinct subtypes exist, then within a strictly jazz context, one could speak of soft jazz, acid jazz, fusion, modal jazz, big band, swing, and others as specific genres.

The term music genre differs from musical form, which refers to musical pieces or performances with particular formats, structures, or performance methods. For example, baroque is a genre of classical music, which is often associated with certain musical forms, such as concertos and oratorios, but concertos are a format found in most any genre of classical music.

In listing and describing various musical genres below, the various types may be grouped first by general genre, time period, and/or region.

1 Preclassical

This refers to a time period, rather than an actual genre, and includes various popular and folk varieties from medieval and Renaissance periods. Music that predates the baroque and Classical Era is popularly referred to as preclassical, even though more formal music forms would technically be considered classical. Thus, "preclassical" can include some early classical styles, especially formal choral and religious styles. Examples include:

• Medieval popular music of various European countries
• Gregorian chant (starting from medieval times)
• Popular Renaissance music of various European countries
• Renaissance choral music (largley religious)
• Madrigal music (secular)

Secular medieval music included troubadour and trouvere songs, minstrel ballads, and courtly love songs. Renassiance music showed more complexity and a greater variety of instruments. Popular secular Renaissance music included instrumental music like dances and consort music.

2 Art music / Classical music

Art music refers to classical music forms, such as Western classical music, or non-Western music traditions in various cultures. Art music uses formal styles that require technical musical skill, and focused attention from listener to appreciate them. It is passed down in written or non-written form, and is thus expected to last for a long time and to be performed from one generation to the next. In Western classical, the music is compositional, within a written musical tradition, while in some cultures it may not necessarily have been written down. Non-Western forms of art music include classical Chinese Yayue and Nanguan music forms, Korean Jeongak, Japanese Gagaku, varieties of Indian classical music, and others.

Western classical music is compositional music, that is, by a recognized composer, who writes pieces to be performed by others (usually professional musicians with technical expertise in music) in classical performance formats (such as orchestras or smaller ensembles). It is composed with the intention of being timeless, that is, it is created with the hope or intention of being preserved and performed in the future. It is thus different from popular or folk music, which can be more temporary, or is performed mainly for entertainment. The earliest classical music comes from the medieval and Renaissance periods, and were dominated by ecclesiastical (church) music forms, such as chant and choral music. Afterwards, more classical music is secular, especially from the Classical era and later.

2.1 Medieval

Medieval classical music consists mainly of sacred music for liturgical settings and religious performances, and was largely vocal music. The most common genre is Gregorian chant, a form of plain chant with simple melodies and Latin lyrics, as well as early polyphonic forms like organum. Much of medieval music was monophonic, meaning it had a single melodic line without harmonies. Medieval music was also based on a modal system, which differs from the modern major and minor scales. In medieval times, musical notation was limited, so much of the music was passed down orally.

Many pieces, especially chant, were composed anonymously, though some individual composers were known and recognized. Important composers include:

• Hildegard of Bingen, nun, composer, and mystic known for her Gregorian chant compositions and theological writings
• Guillaume de Machaut, a prominent composer of the Ars Nova period, known for both sacred and secular compositions
• Leonin and Perotin: Key figures in the development of polyphony in the Notre-Dame School of the 12th and 13th centuries

2.2 Renaissance

The Renaissance music era lasted from 1400 to 1600, and featured more use of instruments and a greater variety of instruments than medieval music. Renaissance music also featured a significant shift in musical style, complexity, and notation, reflecting broader cultural changes of the time, including the Renaissance's focus on humanism and artistic expression. A broader diversity of musical forms developed, including both vocal and instrumental. Major genres included choral music, madrigals, motets, and masses. The music was characterized by richer polyphonic textures, that is, with multiple independent melodic lines harmonizing together, and music that more reflected the meaning of the lyrics (so-called "word painting"). With Renaissance humanism came a greater emphasis on the expression of human emotion in music. Musical notation became more precise and standardized during the Renaissance, allowing for more complex compositions. While sacred music remained important, secular music became increasingly popular and sophisticated.

Important composers include:

• Josquin des Prez, a renowned composer of the High Renaissance, known for his motets and masses
• Palestrina, an influential composer of sacred music, especially known for his polyphonic masses
• Giovanni Gabrieli, an important figure in the Venetian School, known for his contributions to instrumental and choral music
• John Dowland,a notable composer of English lute songs and madrigals
• Thomas Tallis, a composer of sacred choral music

2.3 Baroque

Baroque music, from the early 17th to the mid-18th century, was characterized by the use of more complex musical forms, ornate melodies,and the development of a variety of musical forms. Some defining characteristics include the following.

• Complex, ornate and embellished melodies, with performers encouraged to add their own ornamentation
• A basso continuo, that is, a bassline (usually from the harpsichord and cello) that provided harmonic support
• Dramatic shifts in dynamics, tempo, and mood, emphasizing contrasts between sections; and instead of gradual dynamics, "terraced dynamics" were often used, with abrupt shifts between loud and soft
• Use of counterpoint, or complex polyphonic textures and intricate contrapuntal writing.

Common performance forms include:

• Oratorio: Similar to opera but without staging, oratorio is a large-scale sacred work that often tells a biblical or religious story through music. Handel's "Messiah" is one of the most famous oratorios.
• Opera: Baroque opera emerged as a highly significant and influential form of music drama, with composers like Claudio Monteverdi and George Frideric Handel contributing to its development.
• Cantata: A vocal composition for soloists, choir, and orchestra, often used in liturgical settings. Johann Sebastian Bach composed numerous cantatas.
• Concerto: A composition for a solo instrument (e.g., violin, harpsichord) and orchestra, characterized by its contrast between solo and orchestral sections. Antonio Vivaldi's violin concertos are iconic examples.
• Suite: A collection of dance movements often used for keyboard instruments, such as the harpsichord or the organ. Bach's "French Suites" and "English Suites" are well-known examples.

Important composers include:

• Johann Sebastian Bach: Widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time, Bach's contributions to Baroque music include masterpieces like the Brandenburg Concertos and the Mass in B Minor.
• George Frideric Handel: Renowned for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions, Handel's works include "Messiah," "Water Music," and "Music for the Royal Fireworks."
• Antonio Vivaldi: Known as the "Red Priest," Vivaldi composed numerous concertos, including "The Four Seasons," which is one of the most famous compositions in the Baroque repertoire.
• Henry Purcell: An English composer celebrated for his semi-operas and choral music, such as "Dido and Aeneas" and "Funeral Music for Queen Mary."
• Others include Johann Pachelbel, Claudio Monteverdi, Barbara Strozzi, Domenico Scarlatti, Georg Philipp Telemann, Arcangelo Corelli, Alessandro Scarlatti, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and Heinrich Schütz.

2.4 Classical Era

Though the term classical music includes all formal Western art music from the medieval era to the present day, the Classical Era was a specific period from the 1750s to the middle or late 1800s, in which many musical formats, performance forms, and compositional styles were standardized. Classical Era music is characterized by its elegance, balance, and the development of a standardized musical notation system that is foundational to later classical and modern music in general. It is often seen as a period of musical clarity and refinement.

Classical music is known for its balanced structures and well-defined forms. It often adheres to a clear tonal structure and symmetry. The melodies in Classical Era music are often memorable and singable, characterized by elegant phrasing. Harmonies are used to support and enhance the melody. Classical music primarily employs a homophonic texture, where a single melodic line is supported by harmonies, in contrast to the polyphony of the Baroque era. Composers of this era used dynamic markings extensively to create contrast and drama within their compositions. The Classical Era also saw the expansion and refinement of the orchestra, with a standardized instrumentation that included strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

Important composers include:

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A prodigious and prolific composer, Mozart's contributions to the Classical repertoire include symphonies, concertos, operas (e.g., "The Magic Flute"), and chamber music.
• Ludwig van Beethoven: A transitional figure between the Classical and Romantic eras, Beethoven composed groundbreaking works like his symphonies (especially the Ninth), piano sonatas, and string quartets.
• Joseph Haydn: Often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet," Haydn's compositions in these forms laid the groundwork for future composers.
• Franz Schubert: Known for his lieder (German art songs), Schubert's contributions extend to symphonies, chamber music, and piano works.
• Luigi Boccherini: A prolific composer of chamber music, Boccherini is known for his elegant and expressive string quintets and quartets.
• Other composers include Christoph Willibald Gluck, Johann Christian Bach, Luigi Boccherini, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Muzio Clementi, Antonio Salieri, and Johann Nepomuk Hummel.

2.5 Romantic Era

The Romantic era spans the early 19th century to the early 20th century. Romantic music is characterized by more emphasis on melody, and especially more attention to expressive and emotional elements, in a manner analogous to romanticism in art and literature. More free-form pieces emerged like like nocturnes, fantasias, and preludes, in which traditional and classical ideas about musical form and structure became less important. Classical Era music is characterized by its elegance, balance, and the development of a standardized musical language that has greatly influenced subsequent generations of composers. It is often seen as a period of musical clarity and refinement.

Prominent composers of this era include Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Frédéric Chopin, Hector Berlioz, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Liszt, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, Alexander Scriabin, Nikolai Medtner, Edvard Grieg, and Johann Strauss II. Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss.

2.6 Modernism

Modern classical consists of a large variety of very different styles.

7 See also

Links:

• Genres
• Humor genres