From: roger@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Roger Lustig)
Subject: Re: A quick guide to different musical periods...
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 22:17:16 GMT

In article <l8ql2sINN74p@calvin.usc.edu> alves@calvin.usc.edu (William Alves) writes:
>OK, while I agree with everyone who said that there is no substitute
>for listening and studying for years, I have to admit to certain short-
>cuts that I and other music history students have collated over the
>years. Of course they're not foolproof, but they sure are a help on
>a drop-the-needle test. Here are a sampling (some of the dates may
>be somewhat off, it's been a while since my last class):

A couple of nitpicks here:

>If it is a medieval motet in duple meter, it must be after the Ars Nova
>(i.e. c.1300).

"The Ars Nova" is getting to be a fishy concept these days.  But, yes,
duple meter becomes much more popular as the 14th C wears on.

>If a 3- or more part work ends in an open cadence (i.e. no third) then
>it must be after c.1500.

Let's try that again: if it *doesn't* end in an open cadence, then it's
after 1500.  But many pieces after 1500 end in an open cadence, too.

>If it begins with the famous French-overture dotted rhythm, then that
>probably places it between about 1670 and 1760.

And in France or Germany, most likely.

>If it contains a clarino trumpet (i.e. rapid scalar passages) then it
>must be the baroque.

*High* rapid scalar/arpeggio passages.

>If it contains a harpsichord or other continuo, then it's the baroque.
>If it contains clarinets, it's probably after about 1770.
>If it contains intensely imitative polyphony, then it probably isn't 
>from the classical period (with certain well-known exceptions from
>Mozart and Beethoven especially).
>If the dance movement of a symphony is a minuet instead of a scherzo,
>then it is probably before c. 1810 (again there are certain well-known
>exceptions).
>If it contains snare drum and cymbals, it's either after about 1830 or
>it is intentionally imitating a Janissary band or military scene in
>an opera and may go back to c.1780.

In Germany/Austria, yes.  The Italian opera orchestra uses these from
about 1800; ditto France (perhaps a bit later).

>Any "unusual" percussion instruments (i.e. besides snare, cymbal, bass
>drum, timpani, triangle) places it at least near the end of the 19th
>century.
>If the brass have valves (i.e. aren't just playing bugle-like lines),
>then it is probably after about 1850.

Let's say 1830.  Berlioz, after all, writes for valve brass; and the
Haydn trumpet concerto is for keyed brass.

>Anything truly atonal is probably after 1910.

>Of course one can also memorize the typical genres for a given period.
>For example, a string quartet is probably not in the baroque, a piece
>for percussion ensemble is likely from the 20th century.

This is actually a far better way to get at it, imho.  Then connect
composers to genres (Brahms: no opera; Rossini: no symphonies; etc.).

>Now you, too, can pretend to be an erudite classical music afficianado.

And amaze your friends.

Would you believe I had to take an exam like this as part of my
musicology generals?  We were given twelve single sheets of notated
music, and asked to comment on style, give a likely composer, etc.  10
correct was passing.

Roger