Baroque Period dates
1600 - 1750
Baroque (literal translation)
misshapen pearl
Musical characteristics of the Baroque Period
-New homophonic texture
-Continuation of polyphony of the Renaissance
-Music not based on the Major-Minor tonal system, instead of the modes
-Presence of the Continuo
-Word painting in vocal music
-Terraced dynamics
-Continuous or perpetual rhythms
-Melod
Important textures during the Baroque Period
New texture: homophony, important in opera and oratorio
Composers also wrote in the polyphonic texture introduced in the Renaissance period
Major-minor tonal system
System of composition utilizing tonality, that is music that has a pull toward a tonal center. Different from the modal music of the Medieval and Renaissance periods.
Tonic
Chord of rest, the chord of the key in music of the major-minor tonal system
Dominant
Chord of movement, the fifth chord of the key in the major major-minor tonal system
Modulation
A change of tonality from a key of stability (the tonic) to a key of contrast or instability (frequently, but not always the dominant key)
Continuo
An important part of any Baroque orchestra, or chamber work. It consisted of a bass instrument (a cello or similar instrument) and a keyboard instrument. In sacred works the keyboard used would be the organ, and in secular works the keyboard would be a ha
Word painting
A compositional technique common in the Baroque period where moods, emotions, images, or other meanings suggested by a text are depicted through musical imagery. For example, the word "celestial" might be set to an ascending melodic line suggestion heaven
Libretto
The text (lyrics) of an opera or oratorio
Librettist
Someone who writes a libretto (the text of an opera) is called a librettist
Terraced dynamics
Abrupt and contrasting dynamics, achieved by adding or taking away instruments or voices rather than by gradually changing the loudness of the music
basso continuo
the lowest line of music in all Baroque music, excluding solo keyboard works
Figured bass
A type of musical shorthand that was read by the keyboard player. Instead of musical notes and rhythms, the keyboard player would devise or improvise their part based on these figured bass symbols
Ornamentation
Added notes for decoration to a melody.
Fugue
An imitative polyphonic composition that originated as a keyboard genre during the Baroque period. It is actually a compositional technique used in both instrumental and choral music from the Baroque period. A fugue is built on a single theme whose entran
Baroque vocal genres
Opera, oratorio, Reciative, Aria, Da Capo Aria, Cantata, Lutheran Chorale,
Factors contributing to the development of opera
1. Renewed interest of classical Greek tragedies
2. Heightened interest in drama and theatrical elements in music
3. Tendency for composers to write using word painting
4. New interest in homophonic texture (the texture of songs)
5. Creation and developme
Opera
A dramatic staged secular vocal work with orchestral accompaniment originating in the Baroque period and consisting of alternating recitatives, arias, and chorus numbers. Soloists, solo ensembles, choruses, dancing, dramatic action, costumes, staging are
Oratorio
An extended sacred choral work intended for concert performance, emerging during the Baroque period as a substitute entertainment for opera, which typically would be banned during the Christian season of Lent. The musical elements of opera are present als
Recitative
A vocal solo in opera, cantatas, and oratorios that declaims text in a sung-speech manner, syllabically. The meter is free and there is minimal accompaniment. The text typically advances action.
Aria
A lyrical song found in operas, cantatas, and oratorios. It may comment or reflect on the text presented in a recitative that precedes it.
Da Capo aria
Da Capo literally means "the head" or "the beginning." This instruction would occur at the end of the "B" section, indicating a return to the "A" section and the beginning of the piece, resulting in a ternary form (ABA)
Lutheran chorale
Luther's chorals were originally hymn tunes of the German Lutheran Church sung by the congregation in unison and in German, unlike the chant of the Catholic church which was in Latin and sung by clergy. In the Baroque Period Lutheran chorales were used as
Cantata
An extended solo or choral work that flourished during the Baroque era. It was intended for the German Lutheran worship service, although some cantatas have secular texts. Choral cantatas, particularly those by JS Bach, include harmonized chorales, polyph
Characteristics of the Baroque Orchestra
Strings and the continuo are regular members of the Baroque orchestra. Smaller than the modern orchestra. Trumpets, oboes, and flutes would be secondary members used for special effects, or as soloists. Note the absence of percussion.
Chamber music
Works for solo instruments performing together in small ensembles. Trio Sonatas were important chamber music pieces during the Baroque Period.
Baroque instrumental genres
Concerto, Concerto Grosso, Overture, Dance Suite, Sonata, Solo Sonata, Trio Sonata, Chorale Prelude
Concerto
A three-movement work with a Slow/Fast/Slow tempo scheme. Scored for a soloist and orchestra, the concert was an important Baroque instrumental genre
Concerto grosso
A concert that replaced the solo part with a part written for a solo group of performers
Ground bass
Sometimes simply called a "ground." Ground bass refers to a form in which there is a continuously repeated bass melody. Purcell's "When I am Laid in Earth" is a ground bass. Two types of ground bass are the passacaglia and the chaconne.
Overture
The opening work in an opera or oratorio played by the orchestra alone, preparing the audience for the opening scene. They became so popular composers wrote overtures apart from opera, called "Concert overtures.
French Overture
Popular overture style featuring dotted rhythms
Dance Suite
A multi-movement work for keyboard or orchestra. It includes contrasting, stylized dances popular in the Baroque period, all written in the same key. The principal dances found in suites are the allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue.
Sonata
In the Baroque period, a multi-movement work written for a solo instrument and continuo with a Slow/Fast/Slow tempo scheme.
Trio Sonata
A sonata with two solo instruments and continuo - four performers altogether. Church sonatas would be performed in church. Chamber sonatas were meant for concert performance.
Chorale Prelude
An organ work based on a chorale tune that serves as the theme for a set of variations.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
The most famous Bach from the most famous musical family in Germany. Bach spent his time working in courts at Weimar, Cothen. He also worked in sacred music at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. These positions gave him opportunities to compose some of the gre
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Born in Germany, Handel mastered the German style and actually spent the majority of his life in England. Handel was hugely successful during his lifetime and enjoyed fame and fortune as a composer of operas and oratorios. Like Bach, he composed in all ge
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Italian composer known for his madrigals and opera. His opera "Orfeo" was important in the development of opera.
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)
Italian composer and violin virtuoso known for his development of modern violin techniques. His trio sonatas are Dr. DeWitt's personal favorites, and he was well known for his concerto grossi.
Francois Couperin (1668-1713)
French composer who wrote chiefly for harpsichord. He wrote a treatise on harpsichord playing. He also wrote chamber music.
Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre (c. 1666-1729)
Successful French harpsichordist and composer of keyboard music and cantatas.
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
England's most important Baroque composer. His opera "Dido and Aeneas" is the only English Baroque opera of note. He also wrote sacred choral works, keyboard works, and trio sonatas.
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Italian composer who wrote more than 400 concertos. He held a position at an Italian orphanage for girls and conducted an all-girl orchestra in Venice, often writing music specifically for their performance. He wrote in all genres.
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Prolific German composer of church music, operas, keyboard pieces, and instrumental music.
Baroque scientists
Galileo - Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who is considered to be the father of modern science and physics
Newton - English physicist and mathematician played a key role in the scientific revolution of the 18th century. Formu
Baroque philosophers
Descartes - Baroque philosopher and mathematician, considered to be the father of modern philosophy
Spinoza - Dutch rationalist philosopher whose writings influenced "The Enlightenment.
Baroque artists
Rubens - Flemish painter who painted in the extravagent Baroque style marked by movement, color, and sensuality. Famous for Counter-Reformation and historical themes
Rembrandt - one of the greatest Dutch painters who achieved great success as a portrait a
Milton
English poet and author of "Paradise Lost