1. Baroque music (1600-1750): This period is known for its elaborate ornamentation, use of counterpoint, and the rise of the concerto and the opera. Some famous Baroque composers include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Domenico Scarlatti.
2. Classical period (1750-1830): This period saw the development of a more structured and balanced musical style, with an emphasis on clarity and form. Some famous Classical composers include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven.
3. Romantic period (1830-1910): This period is characterized by a focus on emotion, drama, and individual expression. Romantic composers often used larger orchestras and incorporated elements of folk music and literature into their works. Some famous Romantic composers include Frédéric Chopin, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Hector Berlioz, Johannes Brahms, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
4. Modernism (1910-1970): This period saw a break from traditional musical forms and styles, with composers experimenting with new harmonies, rhythms, and structures. Some famous modernist composers include Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Béla Bartók, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern.
5. Postmodernism (1970-present): This period is characterized by a rejection of the strict rules and conventions of modernism, with composers incorporating a wide range of influences from different genres and cultures. Some famous postmodernist composers include John Adams, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Meredith Monk.
These sub-branches of classical music are not strictly defined and there is often overlap between them. Many composers have incorporated elements from multiple periods and styles into their works.