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[pictured: "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dali]

Since its beginning, the history of chamber music has closely mirrored the history of Western Music in general. The musical ideas, theories, and rules of any historical period can be observed through its chamber music. You can trace the development of music using the timeline, or you can follow the more descriptive text links below:




Baroque

Emerging from the end of the Renaissance, the Baroque Period laid the foundations for the music that would follow for the next several hundred years.

Classical

With the pursuit of beauty and simplicity came the rise of chamber music. Sprouting from the cultural centre of Vienna, the form was nurtured and popularized by the likes of Haydn and Mozart.

Romantic

Coming from the same mindset that ignited the French Revolution, musicians turned more to their individual emotions and feelings, as opposed to the rigid workings of Classical society.

Modern

With a growing distaste for the old styles of composition, twentieth-century composers sought to completely redefine music as we know it.



Back to the Piano On to the Baroque Period