1600-1750 A.D.

Baroque Period

Renaissance Characteristics:Music was written for Mass:

The Mass Cycle, called the Ordinary:KyrieGloriaCredoSanctusAgnus Dei

No official system for writing music.Fifths and fourths considered to be the holiest

intervals.Known in music as Perfect 4ths and Perfect 5ths

Polyphony: Equal voicesEvery voice has an individual melody

From Renaissance to Baroque:

Ornate Dramatic

Expressive

Emotional

•The term “baroque” was coined in the 18th Century by critics who preferred a newer, simpler style.

•The word Baroque means abnormal, exaggerated, or “in bad taste.”

•In the 19th Century, the term Baroque took on a positive meaning, as critics began to appreciate the stylistic tendencies of the period.

Baroque Characteristics

1618-1648

• Thirty Year’s War

1643-1715

• Reign of Louis XIV in France

1600-1750

• Colonization of the Americas

Major Historical Events

1602

• Dutch East India Company Chartered

1632

• Galileo charged with heresy for scientific claims

1642-1649• The English

Civil War

1657: Gian Lorenzo Bernini begins construction of St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in Rome.

Post-Reformation: The Vatican symbolizes the authority of the Catholic Church.

Innovations in the Arts

1645-1652

Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa

John Milton’s Paradise LostMiguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote1616: Death of Shakespeare

Innovations in Literature

Innovations in DanceThe Court Ballet

Created in France A musical-dramatic work,

staged with costumes and scenery that featured members of the court alongside professional dancers.

The instruments used for Court Ballet became the model for the modern orchestra.

Jean-Baptiste Lully was a primary composer of French ballet Lully created the model for

French Opera

Secular genres expanded Opera is invented in Italy Cantata [means “to be sung”] is invented in Italy

Instrumental styles expandAn official system for writing music was established.

“The look” of music comes from the notation rules invented during the Baroque era. Time signatures, measures, barlines

Chromaticism and dissonances are introduced.Melody and accompaniment.Ornamentations and Embellishments:

Invented to let the singer “show off”• Trills Turns Appoggiaturas Cadenzas

The pianoforte (AKA: piano) is invented in 1700

Baroque Style

Opera is a drama with continuous music that is staged with scenery, costumes, and action.

Characteristics of Opera:Aria: expresses emotion

Solo with accompanimentThe character’s reflection on the events

Designed to let the singer “show off”The form of pop music (ABA) developed from Arias

Recitative: tells the storyNarration Declamation of poetry without concern for pitch

accuracy

Italian Opera

Secular Genres:PreludeFugue

One subject (or theme) is continuously developedExample: Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

SonataDevelopment of Sonata form

ConcertoSacred Genres:

The Mass Cycle continuesOratorio

Contained musical elements of Opera without staging or costumesReligious subject matterPerformed in Latin or Italian

Sacred Concertos

Instrumental Genres

Famous Baroque Composers

ItalianAlessandro Scarlatt

iClaudio

Monteverdi

Antonio Vivaldi

FrenchJean

Baptiste Lully

Jean-Philippe Rameau

German

J.S. BachGeorge Frideric

Handel

EnglishHenry

Purcell

Johann Sebastian (J.S.) BachThe Man. The Legend. The Genius.1685-1750

J.S. Bach Born 1685 in Central Germany 1700-1702: Studied at Lüneburg 1703: Hired as a church

organist in Arnstadt 1708: Hired as a court musician

for the duke of Weimar First hired as an organist Later, promoted to

concertmaster 1717: appointed Kapellmeister

(music director) at the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt in Cöthen

1723: Moved to Liepzig to one of the most prestigious music positions in Germany

Brandenburg ConcertosMass in B MinorToccata in D MinorThe Art of Fugue

Demonstrates all types of fugal writing

Famous Pieces

Bach absorbed into his work all the genres, styles, and forms of his time and developed them beyond what his peers thought possible.Characteristics in his music:

Memorable themesA theme should be exciting and welcomed.” –Bach

Strong rhythmic driveClarify of form

“A brilliant piece isn’t necessarily made of brilliant content. The difference between brilliance and forgotten is the form.” –Dr. Joseph Baber

Careful attention to detailBach’s music embodies perfection of form

What Makes him Great?

George Frideric HandelThe Business Man1685-1759

HandelBorn 1685 in GermanyHis father wanted him to

study law but he practiced music secretly.

1702: Appointed cathedral organist at University of Halle.

Wrote his first opera at age 20.

Associated with leading musicians and patrons during his time in Florence, Naples, and Venice.

1712: Moved to London

The English Oratorio:Sacred subject matterElements of Opera:

AriaRecitativeForm

Invention of the “Chorus”Chorus used to narrate the story, comment on the

events, or participate in the actionEmphasis on communal expression (not individual

expression)

Handel’s Influence

Handel’s Style:DramaticAppeal to the public

“He knew how to sell tickets”

This quality made him very popular throughout Europe

Emphasis on:MelodyHarmonyContrasting textures

“Hallelujah Chorus”

Messiah