Grade 11 Music History

AMI 3M1

Baroque Period (1600-1750)

Social and Cultural BackgroundImportant Musical DevelopmentsJohann Sebastian BachGeorge Friederich HandelAntonio Vivaldi

Social and Cultural BackgroundThe Baroque Age- Baroque music was between 1600 and 1750- 1600 opera began to rise in Florence- Opera was one of the main types of music formed

during the Baroque Age- 1750 Bach died and therefore ended the Baroque

Age

Science and Thought- The age of magnificence discovery and

confidence - Scientific discoveries

- Galileo and Kepler founded astronomy- Harvey founded circulation of blood- Newton founded the laws of physics

- In 1607 the first successful opera Orfeo by Monteverdi was presented at the Court of Matuna in North Italy

Monarchs and Politics- The age of magnificent absolute Monarchs- Louis XIV of France the “Sun King”, he ruled

from 1643-1713- He lived in Versaille in Paris (still stands a

monument of the Baroque idea of a king)- Germany had no Monarchy (remained

independent) The first monarch in Germay was Fredrick the Great of Prussia.

- At this time England was unstable (politically and religiously) and very little opera was written here

Regional Style and National Pride- Baroque age was a time of great national awareness

and pride.- They tried to create national culture or regional

style unlike any otherThe Baroque Asthetics- The excitement and magnificence - grandeur of

kings, focus of man as the master of the universe, and high drama

- The Baroque period was mirrored in the architecture, sculpture, and paintings

In Architecture- A great example of baroque architecture is St.

Peter’s Church in Rome, which was designed by Michelangelo during the Renaissance period

- It was made larger and more ornate to fit the new aesthetic. All the details work together to convey the notion that the king dealt with here is mightier ever than the world’s most powerful monarchs

In Sculpture and Painting- They are never still; they are twisted, moving,

struggling and dramatically lighted and deal with dramatic subjects

- Michaelangelo was one of the most famous sculptures

In Church Structure- Designed to impress those observing- Dramatic versions of religious scenes painted on

ceilings- Catch your attention on decorations of gold,rich

textures and surfaces to have the effect of drama and excitement.

In Music- There was concern for drama, it was shown in a

new form Opera- Baroque period was heroic and exciting age of

music that reflected excitement

Important Musical DevelopmentsKapellmeister- Musicians at the time had to compete for their

positions as performers in churches and courts.- The most successful were the composers who

were also performers who achieved the position of Kapellmeister.

- They had great power since they were responsible for all the music played in the courts

- These positions were still insecure since the positions were scrambled up if the political situation changed

Church Musicians and Performers- Bach was a famous Church composer- The music was written for worship

services/purposes and was composed of singers and instrumentals

- The most successful people were Castrati’s (vocal male singers) who had surgery on their voices to stop them from changing

- Composers at the time wrote music for small groups and to showcase their soloist abilities

- Music was written for special occasions and performed right after the composition

Performers Responsibility- Composers had to write a lot of music to meet

demand, (Bach would write at least one cantata per week)

- Cantata: a work for soloists, chorus and orchestra 20-30 minutes long

- The music was written in “shorthand” with basic specifications like the bass line, and the performers filled in the details.

- Each performance was therefore different with musicians playing their own versions of one basic melody

Baroque Style

Color:- A prominent element in the Baroque Period- Composers wrote in different styles or idioms for

different voices and instruments and the violin was prominent because of its expressive quality which is similar to the human voice

Dynamics:- The functions of the capabilities of baroque

instruments, they did not have a great dynamic range

- Changing dynamics means changing color because the only way to increase sound is to increase the number of instruments

- Composers did not specify dynamics in their scores but simply wrote loud or soft

Rhythm and Texture- These are the most prominent elements- The prevailing texture is polyphonic, (combining

several melodic lines)- In slow movements there is a combo of a

prominent melody and bass line, in fast movements there are 4 or more melodic lines going at once

Melody- Less prominent in Baroque music then in more

recent and familiar music - Lyric melodies are absent in baroque and are

more simple with strong rhythm and clever harmonic inclinations

Harmony and Tonality- The gradual rise of tonality was the major minor

system that stayed the basic harmonic framework until the 20th century

- By 1700 eight modes were reduced to major and minor and chord progression moved towards how they are today

- Tonal system lasted until the 20th centuryIdiom and National Style- In the late Renaissance, composers began to

write specifically for some instruments and by the last Baroque period national styles were clearly established also and composers could write in any of them

Idiom and National Style Contd.- Modern performers must be able to switch styles

from Italian to French to German as readily as performers did 200 years ago

Popularity- This music is more preformed now then it was

before- Baroque music is being taken up by modern

performers- It has been attempted in some popular styles,

such as adding jazz bass and drums

Baroque Forms

Vocal Forms- Opera:

- Was one of the most important developments, it began in Florence around 1600’s

- Baroque Opera is seldom performed nowadays- Cantata:

- Denotes any dramatic religion’s vocal music featuring soloists and/or chorus

- Later in North Germany it denoted the form written for soloists, chorus, and orchestra for Lutheran Sunday Service

- Oratorio:- Developed by Handel in Latin, though more famous in

English, is a work for soloists, chorus and orchestra

Instrumental Forms- Prelude and Fugue – a popular form for solo

keyboard- Prelude/toccata – the first movement and is

improvised and is filled with passage work, chromatically bold chords and dramatic effects

- Fugue – the second movement and is learned (4 voices and regular structure

- Trio Sonata – chamber music for more than one- Basso continuo – rhythm section made up of bass

string instruments harpsichord or organ to fill in the chords

Fugue- Latin for “flight” or “chase”- Derived from Renaissance motet but more strict

in organization- Monothematic (one theme)- Designed to work harmonically against itself and

the counter subject (what the first voice plays after it presents the subject)

- Exposition – opening section of a Fugue- After all the voices enter with subject a

contrasting section follows called the episode

Fugue Continued

- Episode – lighter in texture, one or more voice may rest

- Expositions and Episodes alternate throughout- During the last exposition tension is usually

concluded quickly

Johann Sebastian Bach(1685-1750)

Life of Bach- Born at Eisenach in North Germany on March

21st 1685- Was raised by his brother after his parents died- Trained for the family profession of church

organist- Most important position began in 1723 and

lasted until his death on January 28th 1750

Music of Bach- Bach wrote for an orchestra in the cothen period- Several suites and examples of the concerto

grosso- He wrote sonatas and concertos for various

instruments- He also wrote suites for unaccompanied violins

and cellos- Bach wrote cantatas in the Weimar period- We know of 200 cantatas that he wrote in

operatic style; some using chorale, in every movement and some freely composed

- Also he wrote secular cantatas

Concerto Grosso Form- Based on the principle of contrast between two

groups or sounds of different colors and dynamic levels

- Two groups alternate- Small groups of soloists virtuoso levels- Larger group of journey man orchestral players- Small groups are called concertino

Solo Instruments- Harpsichord – Generally regulated to service as

the continuo keyboard instrument, in the fifth Brandenburg Concerto the harpsichord tends to dominate

- Violin – Member of solo group, Baroque violin is not like the violin today

- Flute – made of wood with a few holes for fingers and none of the keys of the modern instrument, sound was soft and more mellow and less brilliant then that of the modern day flute

- “Orchestra of Strings” – was made up of the violin, flute and harpsichord

Movements- Concerto grosso has three movements (fast slow

fast)- First movement : contrast between small groups

and orchestra- Second movement : Lyrical and more vocal- Third movement : fast often times a dance

George Fredrick Handel(1685-1759)

Life of Handel- Man of huge ego and fiery temper- Specialized in instrumental music and opera- Developed in the English oratorio- Music director at the Court of George- 1710 journeyed to England and spent the rest of

his life and became court composer- Music director to the Duke of Chandos

Handels Music- Large body of solo sonatas, concerti grossi

usually for strings and ceremonial music for English Court

- English Court – water music – for Kings orchestra to play as they traveled Thames on a barge

- Royal fireworks – large wind ensemble to be played at a lavish outdoor gala which featured fireworks- Rarely performed- Hard to gather groups of wind instruments- People in the past were burned by fireworks

Operas- Handels vocal works include nearly 40 Italian

operas of which Rinaldo and Gulio Cesare are best known

- Opera was based on the solo singers- Males sang the lead roles and females sang the

castrato rolesOratorios- Wrote 25- Most frequently performed in messiah who’s

“Hallelujah Chords” from the end of one section is perhaps the best known piece of Baroque music

Antonio Vivaldi(1678-

Vivaldi’s Life- Born in 1678- His father was a violinist at the important church

of St. Mark’s in Venice- Educated for priesthood and musical career and

served one year as a priest- From 1704-1740 he was the musical director at

the Ospedale Della Pieta

Vocal Works- Vivaldi was a famous opera composerIn- Venice was the centre of opera- Like Handel, Vivaldi’s operas were written

according to the conversation of the time periodInstrumental- He was most known for his instrumental works- He wrote many solo concertos, solo sonatas and

concerti grosso- He used the strings a lot with new techniques that

were used by many composers in Italy- Usually three violins made up the small group in

concerti grosso

The Four Seasons- Works are a combination of both solo concerto

and concerto grosso- The only player designated as a soloist is a violin- One contrast that resembles Bach is the contrast

between the solo material and the orchestral material

- The solo violin also functions as the first violin of the orchestral sections

CLASSICAL PERIOD1750-1825

Social and Cultural BackgroundNew Musical DevelopmentsElements of Classical MusicForms of Classical MusicJoseph HaydnWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Social and Cultural Background

Started by Bach's sons around 1725-wanted to reject class system, and the excess of the Baroque

French Revolution: Some monarchs were there at the start, but all were gone by the 1780's -America's constitution was based on logic, reflected mindset of the time

Industrial Revolution:  This led to the rise of the middle class

Aesthetic:- ancient Greeks influenced architecture, literature, and visual arts

New Musical Developments

Music: was not as emotional, dramatic as the Baroque musicNew Developments: new middle class provided  outlets

beside the church, courts, i.e: public concerts, opera housesPiano: had dynamic change- became more important over

time than the harpsichordClassical Orchestra: in Baroque had had two levels of written

music: one for court and church musicians and one for the other professional soloists- in Classical period: virtuoso players made up whole orchestra, because of this standards for musicians increased across Europe and performance levels were raised

Elements of Classical Music

Texture: used Baroque contrapuntal texture to build drama and tension

Melody: rejected polyphonic because it was illogical

Rhythm: There was no drive like BaroqueDynamics: very important for composers to use,

and performers to do correctly

Forms of Classical MusicSymphony: 1st movement was sonata allegro form,

2nd A-B-A form, 3rd minuet and trio, and last movement was a rondo or sonata allegro like the first- minuet and trio was the remnant of the Baroque dance form, being repetitive and the least dramatic

Sonata Allegro form: Exposition has two themes, in tonic key and then a contrasting one- Development has material based on themes in Exposition, goes into new, remote areas, and ends with a dominant pedal- ends with Recapitulation made up of false recapitulation, and a return to first movement in the covered recapitulation

Forms of Classical Music (con’t)

Concerto: includes cadenzas-improvised solo passages- commonly composed for piano, violin but also for others such as french horn and clarinet- only 3 movements: no minuet and trio

Divertimento or Serenade:- lighter mood- used sonata-allegro and rondo forms but were loosely written movements

String Quartet:- 2 violins, viola, and cello- mini-symphonies with 4 movements- lot of creativity to compose

Forms of Classical Music (con’t)

Chamber Music: Sonata:- lots of sonatas written- for piano soloists, or

soloist with piano accompaniment - 3 movements like Concerto: sonata-allegro, lyric, and fast movements

Opera in the Classical period: Many kinds: opera seria, opera buffa, and new

German Singspiel- Christopher Gluck helped to reform Italian opera, wrote Orfeo- Mozart was the master of opera, mastered all forms -  even invented his own kind with the Magic Flute, and Don Giovanni, a dramma goo Asa (comic drama)

Joseph Hadyn(1723-1809)

Born in 1732 in a south Austrian villageFist a part of a choir in Vienna, but his voice broke so he

became a violinistHeld various court positions, including highest honor of

KappelmeisterWrote music for princes, that were published and

performed all over Europe and New YorkVisited London twice where he was called a geniusRetired in Vienna, and died 1809Was modest, appreciative, calm, professional, used "God-

given talent" these traits were common for composers in the Classical period

Haydn’s MusicWrote a many of operas, that were for an

aristocratic audience and lacked universal appeal

He also wrote coral and instrumental worksWrote for the obscure baryton of the viol family His mass music is most famous, specifically his

oratorios: The Seasons, and The Creation Famous for his 80 string quartets, and 100

symphonies

Haydn’s String QuartetBasic unit was for 4 strings, though could add

woodwind for a "clarinet"or "flute" quintet Can sound bigger through wide ranges and rapid

melodies, and double-stops: playing simultaneous notes on two or more strings

Performance: had to get along/work as a unit, friends, because there are so few people, some of these groups stayed together for many years (like a modern rock band)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart(1756-1791)

Died a young man in his prime, begging for money on the streets

Played harpsichord by age 3, composing by 5; was taught by his dad Leopoldo on violin, piano, composition

In his teen years he toured Europe, performing for nobility Unique, musical "genius" composed entire symphonies in

his mind and wrote them down later as a the last minute chore

Was not appreciated in his lifetime Liked to party, outrageous personality due to pressure of

dad in childhood

Mozart’s MusicComposed over 600 compositions: solos for keyboard

instruments, 49 symphonies, 18 operas, 25 piano concertos, 5 violin concertos, and many serenades

Divertimento ("entertainment"), Serenade ("evening music"), and Cassation ("outdoor music”)

For court occasions, were lighter background music- mix of marches and minuets for smaller ensembles

Mozart wrote many of them including the famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik (a little night music)

Mozart’s Piano ConcertosUsed legato runs, rapid passage-work, lyric melodies

that require perfect control and sensitivityStructure  

minuet not included as does not pit the soloist vs symphony

Orchestration wind section used by Mozart to contrast with strings-

with piano had endless variety Has a double exposition, and cadenza which provides

dramatic closing and solo display They are balanced with collaborative portions

Mozart’s OperasGluck wanted realistic middle-class, upper-class

division, and stock characters- focus on character, plot and music

Had exaggerations in music to match charactersSingspiel: nationalistic, German development, with

spoken dialogue, believable charactersCarl Maria Weber's Der Freischutz was forerunner of

Romantic opera Mozart's have great ensembles of 5-6 peopleHis were The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi

fan tutte, working with Lorenzo da Ponte