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