Baroque Era

1600-1750

What does “baroque” mean?

• The literal meaning is bizarre, flamboyant, and elaborately ornamental

• DECORATIVE

Architecture

Art

Clothing

Characteristics of Baroque Music

• Unity of Mood- the mood of the song stays the same throughout the song

• Melody- decorative and difficult to remember

• Rhythm- same pattern repeated throughout the

song

Characteristics of Baroque Music

• Texture- polyphonic; 2 or more melodies played at the same time

• Terraced Dynamics- no gradual change from loud to soft or vice versa

Characteristics of Baroque Music

• Words and Music- the words illustrate the meaning of the music

• Figured Bass- use of numbers below bass clef notes in piano music

Day 2

2 Composer Giants of Baroque Music

• George Frederick Handel

• Johann Sebastian Bach• Died in 1750

Baroque Orchestra

• 10-30 players

• Strings– Violin– Viola– Cello– String Bass– Harpsichord

Baroque Orchestra continued

• Woodwinds– Flute– Oboe– Bassoon– Recorder

• Brass– Trumpet– French Horn– Trombone

• Percussion– Timpani

Day 3

Opera

• Began in Italy around 1600• Libretto– Text the opera is set to; composer adds

music

• 1-5 acts subdivided into scenes, like plays

• Open with Overture• Introductions to acts are called

preludes

Opera continued

• Recitative– Words are sung quickly and clearly on

repeated tones to imitate how words are spoken

• Aria– Main attraction; song for solo voice with

orchestra accompaniment

• Topics of opera– Taken from Greek mythology or ancient

historyhttp://youtu.be/7qHZkkgowdY

Your Assignment

• Write a libretto (words for your opera)• Worth 10 points• You need AT LEAST:– 1 Act (Day of the week)– 3 Scenes total on your sheet of paper

(places where your conversations happen)

– 5 lines of conversation per scene– 3 words per line of conversation– Use conversations that have actually

taken place