Music in the Baroque Period

LOs: To develop my knowledge and understanding of music history; to identify characteristics aurally; to expand my knowledge and use of subject-specific vocabulary.

The Baroque Period : 1600-1750 (approx). From the birth of opera and oratorio to the

death of J.S.Bach

Baroque: derived from a Portugese word, barocco, meaning an irregularly-shaped pearl or piece of jewellery. Associated with the highly ornamented style of architecture and art of

the 17th century.

Main composers: Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli, Scarlatti, Monteverdi, Purcell, Rameau

Patronage/Contexts

LOs: To develop my knowledge and understanding of music history; to identify characteristics aurally; to expand my knowledge and use of subject-specific vocabulary.

Baroque Music: Key Features

• Ornamentation on melody parts• Establishment of major and minor Keys• The use of diatonic chords (I,II, IV, V, VI)

Basso Continuo – continuous bass• Textures –

Monophonic/homophonic/polyphonicThe Baroque Orchestra

Terraced Dynamics

LOs: To develop my knowledge and understanding of music history; to identify characteristics aurally; to expand my knowledge and use of subject-specific vocabulary.

Prominent Genres

ConcertoConcerto Grosso

Trio SonataOratorio

OperaDa Capo Aria

LOs: To develop my knowledge and understanding of music history; to identify characteristics aurally; to expand my knowledge and use of subject-specific vocabulary.

Listening Examples

1. Corelli – Trio Sonata Op.1, No.4 2. Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor3. Handel – Messiah4. Monteverdi - Orfeo5. Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No.5 6. Vivaldi – Four Seasons (Summer)

LOs: To develop my knowledge and understanding of music history; to identify characteristics aurally; to expand my knowledge and use of subject-specific vocabulary.

In a nutshell…1. Terraced dynamics (no gradation)2. Repetition of short motifs3. Fairly narrow harmony – mainly I and V. But suspensions, pedal notes,

ornamentation and added chords ensure variation.4. Contrapuntal texture (polyphony) – at the beginning of the period, a

light, homophonic texture; polyphony then took over.5. Ornamentation6. Basso Continuo7. One ‘affectation’8. Modes replaced by major-minor keys9. Forms: binary, ternary, ritornello, rondo/rondeau, variations, ground

bass (chaconne, passacaglia), fugue10. Genres: opera, oratorio, chorale, suite, overture, cantata, concerto,

concerto grosso, prelude, toccata 11. Viols replaced by violin family