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MUSIC OF THE
BAROQUE PERIOD1600 - 1750
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The word Baroque was first used to describe the
highly decorative and often grand style of architecture
and art of the 17th century. Musicians borrowed the
word, and used it to describe the musical styles of the
period spanning 150 years, from the birth of oratorio
and opera to the death of J. S. Bach.
Example of Baroque
Architecture
Composers of the Baroque
Period
Although there were various many composers
around at this time the two who are
considered to be of most importance are J.S.
Bach and G. F. Handel
J.S. Bach G. F. Handel
Johann Sebastian Bach
• Born in 1685 – youngest child
of a professional musician.
• Composed over 200 Cantatas
• 3 Passions, Mass in B Minor
• Organ music
• The Well Tempered Clavier
(The ’48’)
• English and French Suites,
• Brandenburg Concertos
• Chamber music.
Baroque Pipe Organ Console
George Frederick Handel
• Born in 1685 in Halle, Saxony in Germany.
• Wrote many operas –‘Rinaldo’, ‘Scipio’ and ‘Julius Caesar.’
• Wrote 19 Oratorios –
‘Messiah’, ‘Israel In Egypt.’
• Orchestral Music – ‘The Water Music’ & The Fireworks Music.’
• Concerti Grossi;
• Organ Concertos
• Harpsichord Music
Harpsichord
Other composers of the
Baroque period
• Gluck (1714 – 1787)
• Scarlatti (1685 – 1725)
• Purcell (1658 – 1695)
• Corelli (1653 – 1713)
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Music for OrchestraIt was during the Baroque period that the orchestra first
began to take shape. Here are some typical features of the Baroque orchestra.
• A firm basis of strings to which composers would add other instruments: one or two flutes (or recorders),
oboes, bassoons, perhaps horns, occasionally trumpets and timpani.
• The sound of the organ or harpsichord continuo – a bass line in which the player was expected to fill in the harmonies. Sometimes figures were written under the bass line indicating the chords the composer would like
played. This was called figured bass.
• Effects of contrast, especially of dynamics and timbres.
Example of a Baroque orchestra
The Baroque Orchestra
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Instrumental MusicThe Concerto
One of the most important instrumental forms used by Baroque composers is the concerto. There are two main types, each based upon the idea of contrast.
• The Concerto Grosso – contrasting a small group of Solo instruments, called the Concertino, against a String orchestra called the Ripieno.
• The Solo Concerto – featuring a single soloist (often given difficult passages to Play) against a string orchestra.
Example of a Baroque concerto Example of a Concerto Grosso
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Ritornello Form
• Ritornello literally means ‘a little return’. It is a term that was used in the 17th century for a brief introduction or interlude in a vocal composition, or for a brief instrumental passage between the scenes of a 17th century opera. In a concerto grosso the Ritornello is the main theme played by the ripieno group (the orchestra) and sometimes by the concertino (the soloists). The Ritornello may return frequently throughout the movement, similar to a rondo.
Example of a Ritornello
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Fugue
• A contrapuntal piece based on a theme
(subject) announced in one voice part
alone, then imitated by other voices in
close succession.
Elements Found Within the Fugue
The Fugue is a complicated musical form and as such
has various sections within it. These sections include the
Exposition, Subject, Tonal Answer, Real Answer,
Tonal Sequence, Countersubject, Episode, and
Stretto.
Example of a Organ Fugue by J.S.Bach
Ornaments Of The Baroque Era
During the Baroque period it became popular for composers to use
Ornaments to decorate their melodies. Ornaments are often short and add melodic and rhythmic interest to the
composer’s melodies. The Ornamentsused at this time include the
Acciaccatura, the Appoggiatura, the Turn and the Mordent.
Goldberg Variations - Aria
Acciaccatura
• The Acciaccatura is an ornament
which sounds like a crushed note
played very quickly on the beat or just
before it. Written Played
Example of ‘Acciaccatura’
Appoggiatura
• The Appoggiatura is an ornament
which sounds like a leaning note. It
takes half the value of the main note
which follows it or two-thirds if the
main note is dotted.Written Played
Example of ‘Appoggiatura’
Turn
• The Turn is an ornament which has
four notes which turn around the main
note, the note above, the main note the
note below and the main note again. An
Inverted Turn starts with the note
below, reversing the process.Written Played
Example of ‘Turn’
The Mordent
• The Mordent is an ornament that
sounds the main note, the note above
and the main note again. An Inverted
Mordent does the reverse.
Written Played
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Example of ‘Mordent’
MUSIC OF THE
BAROQUE PERIOD1600 - 1750