The Baroque PeriodThe Baroque Period1600-1750

Historical FactsHistorical FactsGalileo & Newton were discovering new ways

to explain the universeIn music, art, architecture, and fashion, fancy

decoration & ornamentation became the ruleMen & Women wore wigs and coats with laceComposers continued to be employeed by the

church & wealthy- the patronage system◦ Patrons paid for the composer’s work, so they

decided what they wrote- limiting creative freedom

Important Composers:◦ Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel,

Johann Pachelbel, Georg Phillip Telemann, Henry Purcell and Antonio Vivaldi.

Baroque CharacterisiticsBaroque CharacterisiticsForm

◦Dances were popular during this period as well as preludes, fugues, suites, toccatas and theme and variations. Binary ( 2 beat) and ternary ( 3 beat) forms were used frequently.

Harmony◦Two or more melodies played at the

same time created a musical texture called counterpoint. There were frequent harmonic changes. Tonality was based on major and minor keys.

Baroque Characteristics, Baroque Characteristics, Cont’dCont’dKeyboard instruments

◦ clavichord, harpsichord, and organRhythm

◦ Emphasis was on strong beats, upbeats and fast-changing rhythmic motion. Eighths, 16ths and triplets were frequently used. Eighth note = ½ beat 16th note = ¼ beat Triplet divides the beat in 3

Style◦ Faster notes were normally played legato-

connected & smooth◦ Slower notes were normally played nonlegato.-

seperated◦ Ornaments were used frequently

Trends in MusicTrends in MusicComplex polyphonic musicAccompanying chordsDynamics & tempo markings

◦Dynamics- volume ◦Tempo- speed

ImprovisationUsed music to express emotions-

joy & anger

Vocal Baroque MusicVocal Baroque MusicOpera- combined music, acting,

scenery, costumes, and props◦Actors and actresses sing the libretto

(script)◦Opera Seria- Serious Opera◦Opera Buffa- Funny Opera◦First Opera- “Orfeo” by Claudio

MonteverdiCantata- series of arias and

recitatives, not staged or acted

Instrumental Baroque Instrumental Baroque MusicMusicInstruments- flute, oboe, bassoon,

trombone, valveless trumpets and horns, harpsichord, organ, timpani

Music written for instruments contained several sections called movements◦Concerto

featured one soloist or a group of soloists usually contained three movements (fast-

slow-fast). Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons

ComposersComposers Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Dietrich Buxtehude Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) Francois Couperin (1668-1733) Girolamo Frescobaldi George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre (1659-1729) Jean-Baptiste Lully Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) Jacopo Peri Georg Phillip Telemann Henry Purcell (1659-1695) Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) Alessandro Scarlatti Heinrich Schutz (1585-1672) Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)