Authentic Performance Practices of Baroque Music

Dena M. Andrews

What was the Baroque?

• The Baroque Period began in 1600 with the first opera and led up to 1750 with the death of J.S. Bach

• Absolutism and Science, Great Thinkers

• Baroque = Misshapen Pearl

• Major Composers: Monteverdi, Purcell, Bach, Handel

Philosophy of Baroque Music

• A belief in music as a potent tool of communication

• Emotion drawn from the listeners

• Monteverdi coined the term “1st and 2nd Practice”

• The 2nd communicative practice dominated the era

Elements of Baroque Music

• Religious dictation of music genre and style: Ex. Bach/Cantatas

• Contrasting Dramatic Elements

• Melody & Harmony

• “Age of the Thorough Bass” Basso Continuo

• Developmental Themes and Ideas // Counterpoint

• Instrumental Temperament

•Pitch & Phythagoras

•Tuning1939: 440 Hz 1893: 435 Hz

•Mean-Tone vs. Well-Tempered

•Form: Sonata, Cantata, Opera, Oratorio, Concerto, Suite

•Authentic vs. Traditional Performance

The Sound of Baroque Music

Discrepancies of Baroque Performance

• Timbre, Tempi & Balance

• Mendelssohn began “Early Music Revival” with first performance of Bach St. Matthew Passion with choir of 300-400

• Bach Entwurff

• Historical context vs. Excitement of Listeners

• Recording and Balance engineers

Tempi

• Fast tempo vs. Slow tempo & the church

• Articulation of short notes and clarity

• Relative tempi within concerto sections

• “Slow movements shall never drag, and fast movements shall never express haste”

• Unsteady tempi and the role of the conductor

Timbre

• The debate about straight tone singing

• The German harpsichord

• The German violin bow

• Period Instruments

• Balance of orchestra and choir

Balance

• Full Organ vs Portative

• Orchestral balance

• The role of the Harpsichord

• Choral and Orchestral Balance

Bach’s Vocal Scoring

• Bach’s letter to Leipzig in 1730 (Entwurff)

• 3-4 Voices per part

• Large rehearsal choir in case of sickness

• St. Matthew Passion debate

• Historical Experience

Video/Performances

• http://www.baroquecds.com/18Concerto6a.mp3

• http://www.baroquemusic.org/7334SDG1Can29.mp3

• Funfgeld vs. Parrott