UNIT 3BAROQUE

1600-1750

JOHANN SEBASTIAN

BACH1685-1750

German composer, organist,

harpsichordist, violist, violinist.

Known for contrapuntal technique,

and harmonic and motivic organization• Fugue (like extreme imitative

polpyhony !)

During lifetime, respected more as

organ player than composer

Toccata, Adagio & Fugue, BWV 564 - Fuga

Father was a director of musicians: Uncles were all professional

musicians

Orphaned at 10, but continued to learn from family (brothers),• received scholarships for music

Worked as an organist in Arnstadt, but disliked the choir. Randomly

took months off to walk 250 miles and stay with an older organ

master (Buxtehude) for months• Wanted to be Buxtehude’s “amanuensis” (assistant/successor), but

would not marry daughter

Married his second cousin, had seven children (only four survived

to adulthood)

While in Kothen, his wife suddenly died.

Married a highly talented soprano (17 years younger!) and had

thirteen more children (six survived to adulthood) • All his children became musicians.

Continued to work for better churches, as royalty/patrons would

hire him.• Weimar, Kothen, Leipzig• Never got to write an opera – Why?

EMOTION IN HARMONY

Harmonies created with purpose!• Not just incidental because of polyphony• Not just one melody note (fauxbourdon) and a few

intervals

Importance of BASS voice as well as melody!• TWO voices (melody and bass) with MULTIPLE

intervals

Tension created by intervals• Dominant pedal• Suspensions (Close intervals wider intervals)

Melodies written in “major” and “minor” modes• Began to influence how chords were conceptualized

Vater Unser Im Himmelreich, BWV 737

Prelude and Fugue in e minor - Prelude

Fantasia & Fugue In G Minor, BWV 542, "The Great"

BACH’S HARMONIC GENIUSFigured Bass

• Same idea as Fauxbourdon, but BACKWARDS and EXPANDED!

Note– Basso Continuo used figured bass! • ALL players were required to “Realize” figured bass!

MODERN MAJOR/MINOR

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do

Do Mi So Do

Do Re Me Fa So Le Te Do

Do Me So Do

Scales are actually just PATTERNS of HALF STEPS and WHOLE STEPS

Major: W-W-H-W-W-W-H Minor: W-H-W-W-H-W-W

BACH AS TEACHER

Don’t forget – he wrote music for all instruments, voices,

occasions… and LEVELS OF ABILTIY!

Well -Tempered Clavier• Explores every key, major and minor• Interesting debate about tuning practices of the day

(“meantone”)

2 and 3 part “inventions”• Explores counterpoint, all rules of rhythms/harmonies

PRACTICE