CONCERTOS THROUGH THE AGES essays

CONCERTOS THROUGH THE AGES essays How did concerti change significantly through the ages? Why did they make such changes? Music has evolved over time, changing in timbre, dynamics as well as texture, and it is these changes that characterize the music to their own time. First of all, I would like to describe the changes in instrumentation. Concerti in the baroque period consist of small ensembles, usually only string quartets and a soloist. It continues to increase in size as it goes through the classical and romantic eras, with the addition of woodwind and percussive instruments. This is because in the baroque period, musicians entertain audiences in small rooms, or chambers, affordable only by the rich. (Hence the name chamber music.) Later, music is played in larger areas, such as stages or music halls. This allows an increasing amount of musicians, as well as a variety of instruments. Whats more, many of the woodwind and percussion instruments werent invented yet. This is proved by the absence of the clarinet, a romantic invention, in Mozarts pieces. Secondly, Dynamics also took an essential change. Dynamic range had been increasing from the baroque the romantic period. This change in range is caused by to major reasons. One of them is the increasing number of instruments and musicians in an orchestra. This not only allows for flexibility of volume, but enhances the soloist in cadenzas as well. Whats more, the concept of romantic music itself is based upon expression of raw emotions by use of powerful dynamics and key changes. In addition, we cannot forget the importance of melody and tonality. There is a general pattern of increasing complexity and intensity in melodic terms, evident by comparing Mozarts simple and lyrical piano concerto with Vines percussion concerto, which is absent of a clear melody. However, there are a few exceptions that we need to consider, for example, Rodrigres guitar concerto ...