Early music encompasses a broad range of styles from the Middle Ages to the late 18th century, characterized by complex harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and ornamentation. Emerging from the medieval Gregorian chant tradition, early music evolved through the Renaissance and Baroque periods, featuring instruments such as the lute, harpsichord, and viola da gamba. Composers of the era crafted masterpieces marked by expressive melodies, ornate decoration, and dramatic contrasts, often for royal courts, churches, and opera houses. This genre had a profound impact on Western classical music, influencing later styles like Classical and Romantic music. Notable for its use of period-specific instruments and performance practices, early music is distinct from later classical music in its emphasis on historical authenticity and nuanced expressiveness.
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