The Baroque period in music is divided into three phases: early (1600-1640); middle (1640-1680) and late (1680-1750). Early baroque composers favored homophonic texture, with a return to polyphonic texture in the late phase. Baroque style spread from Italy throughout Europe in the middle phase, which marked the use of both major and minor scales in compositions. For most of the Baroque period, compositional approaches existed in the service of recited text. However, by the end of the Baroque period, instrumental compositions became just as important as vocal compositions. For more information on the Baroque period, consult the sites provided below.