Stylistic Timeline of Music History

The timeline below may be of assistance in focusing on the study of music history.

Music of Ancient Times (before 500)

  • Iconography documents the existence of music in prehistoric times.
  • Monophonic music was a vital part of the cultures of the ancient Chinese, Hebrews, and Greeks.
  • Christian chant, based on Jewish cantorial traditions and Greek music theory, developed during the decline of Rome.

MEDIEVAL (500-1450)

RENAISSANCE (1450-1600)

BAROQUE (1600-1750)

CLASSIC (1750-1820)

ROMANTIC (1820-1910)

Early 20th CENTURY (1910-1950)

Late 20th to 21st CENTURY

21st Century

It is an impossible task to try to predict which composers of today are most likely to leave a lasting mark. The links below will take you to pages listing winners of some of the major composition awards given in recent decades.