The Baroque Period

Began around 1580 -1750 Strove to alter time and intensify

emotions Existed for the moment “All for love and

the world well lost”

Toward the end of the Baroque period the church and monarchy made efforts to keep average man in their place

Intelligent “commoners” refused to settle for less, thus a culture of philosophical exploration began

No ballet??!! Eat FIRE!!!

New intellectual, artistic, and social atmosphere developed which would lead to the Enlightenment Era.

Baroque Known as Europe’s Gilded Age Ballet and Opera were developed during

this era Culture developed the musical langauge

we use today

Musicians and composers served patrons (employers) who were nobles, the state, or church.

Composers and musicians saw themselves as employees or craftsmen, not artists

Little thought of preservation we toward a musician or composer’s work.

The Music Again, it was a return to ancient Greek

and Roman ideals. Music was considered a powerful tool of

communication, it could still emotion in the listener

Music as a weapon One dominant concerns of concerts was

the power of music to communicate. The Baroque style of music consciously

made an effort to appeal to the individual’s emotions

Mosh pits are brutal

The Development Developed in North Germany und

(German for ‘and’) Holland. Concentrated on counterpoint and fugue.

Also in Rome Sonata and Concerto

We meet in the middle As Italian influences spread north, the

stricter German style spread south.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Life Music reflects the major appointments he

held. Court organist in Weimar he composed

toccatas, fugues, and other organ works. Chapel-master to Prince he composed

Brandenburg Concertos and Orchestral Suites

Life In 1723 he became a cantor (singer) at

St. Thomas’s Church. Performed weekly church cantatas and

passion music for Good Friday as well as other special occasions

Fugue One-movement musical composition that

uses imitative counterpoint. Theme (melody) is stated in each voice

(level) Uses various musical treatments of the

melodies similar to a style of improvisation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzR9bhei

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Handel

Life Born in Germany, died and English

citizen. Composed for the general public instead

of church or patrons. Man of the world, traveled quite a bit

Well known for his work with the oratorio genre.

Pay attention to this, it’s not in the book Next slide Thornsburg

One more slide

Oratorio A large-scale musical work for orchestra

and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme, performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action. 

Oratorio Most famous oratorio was his telling of

Jesus' life in Messiah. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NNy2

89k6Oc&feature=related