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Baroque MusicGeneral Characteristics

Rhythm
Steady beats
Repetitive nature

Rhythm
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: I


Rhythm
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: III

Rhythm:
Bach: St. Matthew Passion, Opening Chorus

Rhythm
The “Walking Bass”
Steady, step-like bass notes underlying a melody

Rhythm
Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, Aria


Harmonic Rhythm
The term refers to the placement in time of chord changes.
In Baroque music, harmonic rhythm tends to be steady, becoming faster near cadences.

Harmonic Rhythm
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier I, Prelude No. 2


Harmonic Rhythm
Bach: Violin Concerto in D Minor BWV 1043

Dynamics
Usually static
Dynamic changes will be restricted to occuring between movements.

Dynamics
“Terraced” dynamics refer to sudden changes, such as a p to a f.
However, most terraced dynamics are relatively subtle.

Dynamics
Bach: Orchestral Suite in D Major, Gavotte


Dynamics
Bach: Violin Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1060

Tone Color
Less important to Baroque composers
Instruments were more interchangeable:
Harpsichord/Clavichord
Violin/Oboe
‘Cello/Viola da Gamba

Tone Color
However, tone color was used when it would be effective.

Tone Color
Handel: a passage from Saul featuring a bell carillon.

Tone Color
Bach: Cantata No. 82, Ich habe genug
Bach’s love for the sound of oboe and voice

Melody
Long, serpentine “tapeworm” melodies are often found, especially in slow movements.

Melody
Bach: Mass in B Minor, Laudamus

Melody
Orchestral Suite in D Major, Aria

Melody
Songlike melodies in short phrases weren’t unheard of, however.

Melody
Bach: Cantata No. 84, III: Woll euch

Continuo
Particular sound of Baroque music
Heard underlying instrumental music and almost all vocal music as well.
A sustaining instrument (‘cello or viola da gamba) and a keyboard instrument.

Continuo
The keyboard player is given only the bass line, together with a set of figures which indicate the harmonies.
The “continuo player” on the keyboard realizes the figures into a fully-fleshed out harmonic accompaniment.
The string instrument plays the notated bass line.

Continuo
Bass line and figures: the performance gives an idea how it might be realized.
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Continuo
Harpsichord & ‘Cello:
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, Adagio

Continuo
Organ & ‘Cello
Cantata No. 11 Ach bleibe doch