Baroque1600 - 1750

http://www.ipl.org/div/mushist/bar/http://library.thinkquest.org/16020/data/eng/text/education/theory/history.html

Baroque means highly decorated. Derived from the Portuguese barroco, or “oddly shaped pearl”

Musical styleMelodyLess stepwise movementLarger leaps, wide range, chromaticismMelodic sequence- repetition of motive at successively higher or lower degrees of the scaleHarmonyStable diatonic chords played by basso continuo support melodyClear chord progressionsTonality reduced to major and minor

Basso continuo - A bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers to indicate the chords to be played

elementsRhythmRelaxed, flexible rhythms in the Renaissance transformed into regular, repeating driving rhythmBar lines were used regularly by late 1600’sStrong meterColorMusical timbre became much more variedTraditional instruments were perfected (harpsichord, violin, oboe)New combinations of voices and instrumentsSymphony orchestra begins to take shape**Sudden shifts in dynamics

elementsTextureChordal, homophonic texture predominatesTop and bottom lines strongestBasso continuo creates a powerful bass to support melody aboveFormArias and instrumental works often make use of basso continuoRitornello form emergesBinary form regulates most movements of the sonata and orchestra suite

An Era of Firsts- First time in history composers indicate tempo (e.g., adagio, allegro) and dynamics (e.g., forte, piano)- Terraced dynamics (suddenly moving from loud to soft

Music of the Baroque Era was very busy. A lot of different things going on -

Basso continuoOne musical element that remained constant throughout the Baroque era“Figured Bass”Purpose: to establish a strong bass and ensure that the chord structure holds tightsA small ensemble of at least two instrumentalists who provide a foundation for the melodyBass line instrument and chord instrument

Basso Continuo example

Basso continuo

Baroque ConcertoSolo instrument and orchestra accompanimentConcerto grosso- small group of soloists and orchestraPeriods most popular and important genreTypically 3 movements: fast, slow, fast

o First movement- serious in tone, ritornello formo Second movement- lyric and tender, free formo Third Movement- often rustic and dance like, ritornello

form

Ritornello formMeans “to return”All or part of a main theme returns throughout movementRitornello played by all instrumentsHas solo virtuosic passages in between ritornelloCan have many alterations between ritornello and solo sections

Baroque SonataInstrumental chamber musicCollection of short movements (usually 4-6)Each movement had a dance-like character but used only as concert musicAllemande, sarabande, gavotte, gigue were typically movementsSolo Sonata- soloist and basso continuoTrio Sonata- two melody instruments and basso continuo

Baroque OrchestraModern symphony orchestra emerges!! **- Rarely more than 25 players- More instruments for festive occasions- Strings are the core of the ensemble- Violins replace viols, Multiple string players on each part- Woodwinds consist of oboes, flutes, or bassoon- Brass instruments include trumpets or French horn- Percussion was only rarely used and parts were not written out- Basso continuo was still essential

Baroque ComposersGeorge Frideric Handel - (1685-1759)Johann Sebastian Bach - (1685-1750)Claudio Monteverdi - (1567-1643)Henry Purcell - (1659-1695)Arcangelo Corelli - (1653-1713)Antonio Vivaldi - (1678-1741)

Composer project

1. Choose a Renaissance composer from the board2. Research this person’s background3. Provide the following information:

a. Yearsb. Influence he had on the Renaissancec. What type of music did he compose?d. Examples of his musice. Unique characteristics of his musicf. Where this person lived.

** be sure to include your works cited**