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Baroque Period
A musical period that spanned from about 1600 to 1750, but many people just think of it as the music of the 17th century. The style of music as a whole is very embellished as it adds more harmonies and trills (a piano technique). It is also very organized and uses contrasts in melody to have a dramatic effect. Some of the most famous composers of the Baroque period are Johann Sebastian (J.S.) Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, and George Frideric Handel.
Baroque Pieces
Minuet in G by J.S. Bach (1:28)
A minuet was a popular court dance in 3/4 time. It's supposed to show elegance and grace. This was the first song I learned out of the Piano Literature Volume 1 Book. This song, along with the other Baroque songs I have listed, is part of the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach.
Minuet in G by J.S. Bach (1:43)
Although this song is also called Minuet in G, it is a different song than the first one. The first Minuet in G focused more on chords and had a simple melody. This minuet is built around a motif of the G Major octave.
Polonaise in G Minor by J.S. Bach (1:44)
A polonaise is a Polish processional dance. Like the others, it is from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach. Bach created the notebook for his second wife, Anna Magdalena, so she could learn to play piano. It has a lot of great pieces that cover different techniques and sounds.
Minuet in D Minor by J.S. Bach (0:51)
This is another minuet by J.S. Bach. Minuet in D Minor along with the Polonaise in G Minor are in Piano Literature Volume 2. They are both a little more advanced as they involve more movement in the left hand.
Classical Period
A musical period that spanned from about 1750 to 1827; however, it is usually called the music of the 18th century. The style of music is usually tidy, balanced, and simple. Compared to the Baroque period, the Classical period is less adorned. Some of the most famous composers of this period are Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Franz Joseph Haydn.
Classical Pieces
Sonatina in G by Beethoven (First Movement-Moderato) (1:01)
A sonatina is a little sonata. There is no exact definition of a sonata, but it is usually written as a solo piece. Most of the time, there are two to four movements in a sonata. Those movements are separate pieces that usually have different tempos, moods, and sometimes, even different key signatures.
Sonatina in G by Beethoven (Second Movement-Romance) (2:04)
The first movement of a sonata is often made up of three parts: exposition, development, and recapitulation. It is also usually fast, and then, it's followed by a slower second movement. The sonata usually ends with a fast final movement. This sonatina is one of the first that I learned, and ever since then, I have always liked this musical form.
Für Elise by Beethoven (3:14)
Für Elise is a rondo, which is a style of music that takes one theme and reuses it throughout the song. It's written in ABACA form, where the A is the main theme, and the B and C are different sections to break up the main theme. This piece is one of my personal favorites, and I love how I can make the mood of the song slightly different every time I play it.
Solfeggietto by C.P.E. Bach (1:08)
C.P.E. (Carl Philipp Emanuel) Bach is the son of J.S. Bach. Solfeggietto comes from the word solfeggio or solfège, which is an exercise using the sol-fa syllables (do, re, mi, etc.). This song is a study in evenness of tempo and touch.