Baroque Period
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Transcript of Baroque Period
1600-1750 A.D.
Baroque Period
Renaissance Characteristics:Music was written for Mass:
The Mass Cycle, called the Ordinary:KyrieGloriaCredoSanctusAgnus Dei
No official system for writing music.Fifths and fourths considered to be the holiest
intervals.Known in music as Perfect 4ths and Perfect 5ths
Polyphony: Equal voicesEvery voice has an individual melody
From Renaissance to Baroque:
Ornate Dramatic
Expressive
Emotional
•The term “baroque” was coined in the 18th Century by critics who preferred a newer, simpler style.
•The word Baroque means abnormal, exaggerated, or “in bad taste.”
•In the 19th Century, the term Baroque took on a positive meaning, as critics began to appreciate the stylistic tendencies of the period.
Baroque Characteristics
1618-1648
• Thirty Year’s War
1643-1715
• Reign of Louis XIV in France
1600-1750
• Colonization of the Americas
Major Historical Events
1602
• Dutch East India Company Chartered
1632
• Galileo charged with heresy for scientific claims
1642-1649• The English
Civil War
1657: Gian Lorenzo Bernini begins construction of St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in Rome.
Post-Reformation: The Vatican symbolizes the authority of the Catholic Church.
Innovations in the Arts
1645-1652
Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa
John Milton’s Paradise LostMiguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote1616: Death of Shakespeare
Innovations in Literature
Innovations in DanceThe Court Ballet
Created in France A musical-dramatic work,
staged with costumes and scenery that featured members of the court alongside professional dancers.
The instruments used for Court Ballet became the model for the modern orchestra.
Jean-Baptiste Lully was a primary composer of French ballet Lully created the model for
French Opera
Secular genres expanded Opera is invented in Italy Cantata [means “to be sung”] is invented in Italy
Instrumental styles expandAn official system for writing music was established.
“The look” of music comes from the notation rules invented during the Baroque era. Time signatures, measures, barlines
Chromaticism and dissonances are introduced.Melody and accompaniment.Ornamentations and Embellishments:
Invented to let the singer “show off”• Trills Turns Appoggiaturas Cadenzas
The pianoforte (AKA: piano) is invented in 1700
Baroque Style
Opera is a drama with continuous music that is staged with scenery, costumes, and action.
Characteristics of Opera:Aria: expresses emotion
Solo with accompanimentThe character’s reflection on the events
Designed to let the singer “show off”The form of pop music (ABA) developed from Arias
Recitative: tells the storyNarration Declamation of poetry without concern for pitch
accuracy
Italian Opera
Secular Genres:PreludeFugue
One subject (or theme) is continuously developedExample: Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
SonataDevelopment of Sonata form
ConcertoSacred Genres:
The Mass Cycle continuesOratorio
Contained musical elements of Opera without staging or costumesReligious subject matterPerformed in Latin or Italian
Sacred Concertos
Instrumental Genres
Famous Baroque Composers
ItalianAlessandro Scarlatt
iClaudio
Monteverdi
Antonio Vivaldi
FrenchJean
Baptiste Lully
Jean-Philippe Rameau
German
J.S. BachGeorge Frideric
Handel
EnglishHenry
Purcell
Johann Sebastian (J.S.) BachThe Man. The Legend. The Genius.1685-1750
J.S. Bach Born 1685 in Central Germany 1700-1702: Studied at Lüneburg 1703: Hired as a church
organist in Arnstadt 1708: Hired as a court musician
for the duke of Weimar First hired as an organist Later, promoted to
concertmaster 1717: appointed Kapellmeister
(music director) at the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt in Cöthen
1723: Moved to Liepzig to one of the most prestigious music positions in Germany
Brandenburg ConcertosMass in B MinorToccata in D MinorThe Art of Fugue
Demonstrates all types of fugal writing
Famous Pieces
Bach absorbed into his work all the genres, styles, and forms of his time and developed them beyond what his peers thought possible.Characteristics in his music:
Memorable themesA theme should be exciting and welcomed.” –Bach
Strong rhythmic driveClarify of form
“A brilliant piece isn’t necessarily made of brilliant content. The difference between brilliance and forgotten is the form.” –Dr. Joseph Baber
Careful attention to detailBach’s music embodies perfection of form
What Makes him Great?
George Frideric HandelThe Business Man1685-1759
HandelBorn 1685 in GermanyHis father wanted him to
study law but he practiced music secretly.
1702: Appointed cathedral organist at University of Halle.
Wrote his first opera at age 20.
Associated with leading musicians and patrons during his time in Florence, Naples, and Venice.
1712: Moved to London
The English Oratorio:Sacred subject matterElements of Opera:
AriaRecitativeForm
Invention of the “Chorus”Chorus used to narrate the story, comment on the
events, or participate in the actionEmphasis on communal expression (not individual
expression)
Handel’s Influence
Handel’s Style:DramaticAppeal to the public
“He knew how to sell tickets”
This quality made him very popular throughout Europe
Emphasis on:MelodyHarmonyContrasting textures
“Hallelujah Chorus”
Messiah