Music of the Baroque PeriodThe Baroque period covers music written between approximately 1625 and 1750. Famous composers of this style include Bach, Handel and Vivaldi.

In the Baroque era, the architecture at the time was very grand and decorative and this was reflected in the music.

The Baroque period saw the development of certain types of work such as the Opera and the Oratorio. The orchestra was smaller than those of today and used fewer percussion instruments.

Baroque music includes both vocal and instrumental works.

Vocal Music There are two main works of Baroque vocal music. They are the Opera and the Oratorio. An Opera is a large scale work for S.A.T.B choir and orchestra. It uses songs, acting and scenery to tell a story. There is usually no dialogue. This is a non-religious work.

Listen to this example of an Opera.

An Oratorio is similar to an Opera, using the S.A.T.B Choir, soloists and Orchestra and is also set on stage with scenery. However, in an Oratorio, the text used is religious and follows a biblical theme.

Listen to this example of an Oratorio. In this example, one part copies another, what is this called? __________________

Also in this example, melisma is a common feature. This is when the singer uses more than one note for one syllable. The opposite of melisma is syllabic. This is when each syllable has a different note. Before an Opera or Oratorio starts there is an introduction which is played by the orchestra alone. This is called the Overture.

Listen to this example of an Overture.

In each of these works, the choir used is an S.A.T.B chorus. This stands for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. The chorus can be used as a whole choir or individuals can do solo songs.

Listen to this example of a chorus. Name the keyboard instrument in the accompaniment. ___________________________

There are two different types of solo song, an Aria and a Recitative.

An Aria is sung by a solo singer and is accompanied by an Orchestra. It is often quite long.

Listen to this example of an Aria. Name the solo voice. _______________

A Recitative is also for a soloist or a duet. The recitative is almost half-spoken, half- sung and is controlled by the singer. The accompaniment follows at the singers speed and is usually quite limited.

Listen to this example of a recitative. Name the solo voice. _______________

In the Baroque period, three more types of voices were introduced. These are shown below.

SOPRANO Mezzo Soprano – range between Soprano and altoALTO Counter Tenor – male alto. Higher than tenor voiceTENOR Baritone – range between Tenor and BassBASS

Listen to each of the voices.

When the chorus sings different textures can be used.

Homophonic – All parts are moving at the same time. E.g hymn tunes.

Polyphonic/contrapuntal – Parts all move at different times and interact with each other. They each have separate melodic lines.

Listen to the textures of the following pieces and write down the answers.

1. __________________

2. __________________

As well as large scale works, there are also two smaller scale works, the Cantata and the Passion.

The Cantata is a smaller version of the opera. It also uses choruses and solo songs. These are accompanied by orchestra or harpsichord and cello. (continuo)

Listen to this Cantata.

The Passion is similar to the Oratorio however it is solely based on the Crucifixion of Christ.

Now answer the following example questions.

1. Listen to the piece and tick the correct voice.

Countertenor Soprano

Mezzo Soprano

Baritone

2. Listen to another excerpt and tick two boxes to identify what you hear.

Homophony

Polyphony

Cadenza

Voices in unison/octaves

A cappella

3. Listen to this excerpt and tick one box to describe what you hear.

Recitative

Aria

Chorale

Chorus

4. Listen to this excerpt and tick one box in each column.

Column A Column B

Contrary motion Melismatic word setting

Round Syllabic word setting

Ostinato Scat

Rallentando

5. Tick the type of voice you hear.

Alto

Countertenor

Baritone

6. Listen to this excerpt. Tick one box in each column.

Column A Column B Column C

French Horn Recitative Obbligato

Saxophone Aria Tierce de Picardie

Trumpet Chorus Coda

7. Listen to this excerpt and tick two boxes to describe what you hear.

Homophony

Polyphony

Scat singing

Syllabic word setting

Melismatic word setting

Music of the

Baroque Period

Instrumental Music

Composers such as Vivaldi and Bach also wrote works for Instruments and orchestras in the baroque period. As mentioned before the orchestras were not as large in this era and some instruments were just being introduced. The percussion section was much smaller and the timpani were the main instruments in this section.

This is an example of the size of the Baroque orchestra.

They wrote Concertos for particular instruments. For example, Vivaldi wrote the violin concerto, ‘The Four Seasons’. This has four different sections or movements.

Listen to an example from this.

Bach wrote many works for piano. These include preludes and fugues. He wrote one in each major and minor key.

Listen to an example of one.

Works were also written for full orchestra, for example Handel’s ‘Water Music’.

Listen to an example from this.

Music written for a small group was known as Chamber Music. This would only include 1 or 2 of a similar kind of instrument. For example, a wind quintet may consist of flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and horn.

This picture shows a small chamber group from the baroque period. It consists of harpsichord, 2 violins, 2 cellos, 2 horns and a double bass.

This is a harpsichord. It was a very commonly used instrument in the baroque period. It is similar to a piano but the strings are plucked rather than struck to produce the sound.

Concepts Learned

Melodic

Melismatic word settingSyllabic word setting

Harmonic

SuspensionTierce de Picardie

Structural

Unison/octaveHarmonyAccompanied/ unaccompaniedHomophonyPolyphonyContrapuntalCodaObbligatoCadenza

Timbre

Mezzo-soprano, countertenor, baritoneA cappella

Chamber MusicOrchestraSoprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass

Styles / Forms

OperaOratorioOvertureAria RecitativeChorusPassionChoraleConcerto