Mark Henderson answered
The following are periods of classical music in chronological order:
Early Music (pre-9th Century AD): Although not much is known about music in this period, it was certainly a time when religious texts were beginning to be chanted, and early instruments were being played.
Medieval (9th to 14th centuries): This was the beginning of "Church music", and religious music had a fundamental impact on the development of classical music.
Renaissance (15th-16th centuries): The Renaissance was a time of great change across Western Europe, and this also applied to music as styles became more advanced. This period introduced a greater amount of instrumentation, the use of bass lines and saw an increasing popularity in social dance.
Baroque (1600-1750): Many composers from the Baroque era are still popular today, such as Bach, Handel, Purcell and Vivaldi. These musicians laid the foundations for the future Classical and Romantic periods. Baroque is characterized by complex tonal counterpoints and a continuous bass line. The major and minor tonalities began to take shape.
Classical (1750-1820): In the Classical period, symphonies and concertos were brought to life by Mozart and Haydn. This period established many of the norms and conventions of subsequent classical music. During this period the piano became the predominant keyboard instrument.
Romantic (1820-1910): Schubert and Beethoven overlapped from the Classical period into the Romantic era, writing pieces that are still hugely popular today. They were joined by composers such as Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Debussy.
Modern or Contemporary (1910 -present time): Modern classical music has been more experimental, dismissing traditional structures and melodies. Composers include Elgar, Strauss and Gershwin.
Medieval (9th to 14th centuries): This was the beginning of "Church music", and religious music had a fundamental impact on the development of classical music.
Renaissance (15th-16th centuries): The Renaissance was a time of great change across Western Europe, and this also applied to music as styles became more advanced. This period introduced a greater amount of instrumentation, the use of bass lines and saw an increasing popularity in social dance.
Baroque (1600-1750): Many composers from the Baroque era are still popular today, such as Bach, Handel, Purcell and Vivaldi. These musicians laid the foundations for the future Classical and Romantic periods. Baroque is characterized by complex tonal counterpoints and a continuous bass line. The major and minor tonalities began to take shape.
Classical (1750-1820): In the Classical period, symphonies and concertos were brought to life by Mozart and Haydn. This period established many of the norms and conventions of subsequent classical music. During this period the piano became the predominant keyboard instrument.
Romantic (1820-1910): Schubert and Beethoven overlapped from the Classical period into the Romantic era, writing pieces that are still hugely popular today. They were joined by composers such as Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Debussy.
Modern or Contemporary (1910 -present time): Modern classical music has been more experimental, dismissing traditional structures and melodies. Composers include Elgar, Strauss and Gershwin.