Sacred
vocal
music
Genres
Baroque
music
Characteristics
Melody: ornamented, wide range
Texture: basso Continuo or polyphonic texture
Timbre: orchestra based on string instruments. Organ
Character, dynamics, tempi: changes and contrast
Oratorio: like an opera, with a narrator, but without acting. Stories from the Bible. Haendel
Passion: like oratorio, but text based on Christ Passion. J.S. Bach
Cantatas: similar to oratorio, but much shorter. Used on Church Services. J.S. Bach
Chorals: songs for mixed choir and organ. Text from hymns. Used on Protestant Church Services
Opera
Invented in Italy. First Opera -> Orfeo (Monteverdi, 1609)
Definition: sing theatre with soloist, choir and orchestra
Italian language
Parts: three acts
Plot: mythological and historical tragedies.
Places: first in palace, later in public theaters.
Important voices: sopranos and castrati (Farinelli)
Composers: Monteverdi, Scarlatti, Lully, Haendel. Spain: zarzuelas
Overture (instrumental)
Recitative (develops the story, sing
accompanied with harpsichord)
Aria (express feelings)
Instrumental passages
Chorus (moral messages)
ELEMENTS OF THE OPERA
Instrumental
music
Ensembles/orchestra based on string instruments.
Viol family replaced by the violin family. Stradivarius.
Organs become bigger and complex.
Harpsichord: main instrument of the basso continuo
Suite: series of contrasting dances with contrasting tempi. Performed by chamber ensembles and orchestras.
Each dance has a binary structure, with two repeated sections. Courante, gigue, allemande, sarabande
Concerto: music for orchestra (tutti) and soloist/concertino (group of soloist). Three movements using a fast-
slow-fast plan. Two types: solo concerto (soloist vs tutti), concerto grosso (concertino vs tutti)
Toccata, prelude, fugue: short musical pieces for keyboard, to show the abilities of the performer.
Fugue: complex polyphonic composition based on the development of two motives in different melodies
Basso
continuo
Origin of the
accompaniment with chords
Not modal, modern harmony
(major and minor scales)
Two parts:
- Bass line (cello, archlute)
- Chords (harpsichord, lute)
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