The Baroque1600 - 1750

7th Grade Choir

Mrs. Consolo

Around the World

Shakespeare writes his play Hamlet in 1600

Jamestown is founded in Virginia in 1607

Galileo hypothesizes Earth orbits the Sun 1610

King James version of the Bible released 1611

Witchcraft trials take place in Salem 1692

William Shakespeare

Galileo

Salem Witchcraft Trials

Characteristics

Began in Rome and spread through France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands

Refers to elaborate and ornamental style found in art, architecture and music

Like the scientific approach, music was based on experimentation

Compared with Renaissance music, Baroque music is thought to be more colorful

Vocal music was mainly accompanied and orchestras and choirs were nearly equal in number

Characteristics

Music was written to order and indicated wealth and high

aristocratic standing

Many courts had a music director responsible for

overseeing new compositions

Church music was still most prominent

Music was taught in schools and orphanages as a skilled

and worthy trade

Baroque Design

Baroque Architecture

Baroque Architecture

Baroque Art

Elements of Music• Mood

– Text sets the mood

• Rhythm– Rhythmic patterns are repeated to create interest– Rhythmic movement is constant and energetic

• Melody/Harmony– Main melodies are repeated and expanded to create sequences– Vocalists imitate instrumental sounds– Ornamentation adds complexity and interest

• Tempo– Tempos are moderate and changes occur with new sections

• Dynamics– Changes in volume are abrupt and decrescendo/crescendo are rare– Terraced dynamics occur by adding/subtracting voices/instruments

HallelujahWritten in 1741 by George Freidrich Handel

Written in English to reach a wider audience

From the oratorio The Messiah

Makes use of strong bass (basso continuo)

Things to Listen for

1. What kind of choir do you hear?

2. What kind of instruments do you hear?

3. Can you hum the basso continuo?

George Freidrich Handel

Baroque Notation with

Basso Continuo

La PrimaveraWritten in 1723 by Antonio Vivaldi

English title is Spring from The Four Seasons

Referred to as a tone poem or program music

Makes use of strong bass (basso continuo)

Things to Listen for

1. Can you hear the shepherds dancing?

2. Can you hear the birds?

3. Can you hear the murmuring streams?

4. Can you hear the thunderstorms?

Antonio Vivaldi

Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D