baroque versus classical music

7/29/2019 Baroque Versus Classical Music

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David E Wolfswinkel

Baroque versus Classical

Baroque and classical music, although belonging to different time periods, are often and

easily confused. Besides the date and the name of a composer the two types of music are

difficult to distinguish. Between movements, symphonies and sonatas this could be achallenging task. It’s baroque versus classical and a journey of discovering who’s who.

Common misconceptions

Many people, when hearing music that cannot be placed in the pop, electro, or other

modern genres call it classical music. It may be, but there are many other

possibilities: Romantic, Renaissance and in this case, Baroque.

Here is a challenge:

Listen to Magnificat in D major by Jan Dismas Zelenka (Right), without

reading any extra information about the piece or the composer - if you do

this the exercise will be pointless.

Next, listen to Missa Solemnis in E Major, Gloria by Luigi Cherubini

(Left), still not reading any extra information about the piece or the

composer.

Now listen to them again, but this time pay close attention to the technicalities of the

pieces: the rhythms, harmonies, how the piece moves towards the climax, the different

instruments and so forth.

Now decide which is classical and which is baroque…

To people with or without a trained musical ear this can be very challenging. Magnificat is a

highly ornamented piece. Intricate and complex melodies and harmonies create the main

melody line, which is surprisingly difficult to remember if you are not accustomed to this

specific piece. The piece also never reaches a true climax; instead smaller peaks in tension

are present. At first you may not notice but a familiar sound is missing. This piece does not

have a piano part.

Magnificat is from the baroque era



David E Wolfswinkel



David E Wolfswinkel

Gloria on the other hand not only has a piano part, but also includes a wide variety of string,

brass, wind, and percussion instruments, and very importantly the bassoon. The bassoon

was not present during most of the baroque era, but quickly changed the style of classical

music shortly after its invention.

You will find this melody line is also not easy to remember, but it is easier than the highly

ornamented Magnificat. Throughout Gloria (which is the climax of Missa Solemnis) one gets

the feeling of movement which is clear at the end of the movement in a glorious climax

including the mass choir and orchestra.

Missa Solemnis’ Gloria is from the classical era.



David E Wolfswinkel

What is Baroque Music?

When and Who?

The Baroque era lasted from 1600 to 1760. It followed the Renaissance

era and developed into the Classical era. Some famous composers from

the Baroque era are Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi and

Domenico Scarlatti (All right).

Why?

Music was composed mainly on request of the head of the court or the

king. Music was a form of entertainment only for the high class people.

The only place ordinary people heard music was in a church.

What?

Baroque composers are known for blending the musical language into

emotions and feelings that remained with the piece/movement or dance

until the end. Pieces always have a feeling of continuity, although

ornamented the same opening melody is carried out through the entire

piece. The dynamics of a piece are very constant. Any shift is very sudden

because there was only loud or soft, no in between.

What is Classical Music?

When and Who?

The Classical era lasted from 1750 to 1820. It developed from the Baroque

era and preceded the Romantic era. Some famous composers from that

era are Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann

Strauss ll) (all left).

Why?

Although a lot of music was still being composed for courts and churches

many more people were allowed to listen to music and many more public

performances were held. Symphonies and concertos were developed during

this era and opera became a very popular form of music.



David E Wolfswinkel

What?

Classical music had a wide emotional range as composers were given the

freedom to compose as they pleased. The development and invention of the

Bassoon, piano and brass instruments also added the mood variations of

classical music. Melodies were tuneful and easy to remember and the

concept of basso continuo was abandoned.

Conclusion

Although Classical and Baroque music is not often socially listened to today, this music will

always be enjoyed and remembered as two of the greatest and most fundamental eras in

musical history. It is thanks to these points in time that we are able to produce the music we

have today.



David E Wolfswinkel

Bibliography

http://www.baroquemusic.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Baroque_composers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Domenico_Scarlatti_(azul).jpg

http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-bar.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/27927/Classical_characteristics.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_music

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Vivaldi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Strauss_II

http://www.baroquemusic.org/bardefn.html

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091104085541AAmkPLi

http://www.classicalscore.com/timeline/classical.html

http://www.classicalscore.com/timeline/classical.html

http://www.di-arezzo.co.uk/sheet+music/classical+score/sheet+music-for-choral+music-

for-orchestra-for-voice/CARUS13959.html

http://www.freehandmusic.com/sheet-music/gloria-in-excelsis-no-2-from-mass-272965

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