1600-1750

The term Baroque era describes the style or period of European music between the years of 1600 and 1750. The term Baroque was derived from a Portuguese word meaning "a pearl of irregular shape." The word Baroque was initially used to imply strangeness, abnormality and extravagance, applying more to art than music. It is only in the 20th century that this term has been employed to refer to a period in music history.

MusicThe music in Baroque is distinctive due mainly for

its several major components : 1. Basso continuo or music that is played by one

or more bass instruments and a keyboard instrument

2. Emphasis of the vocal and instrumental accompaniment

3. Great separation of the melody line and accompaniment became widely accepted.

4. The use of the doctrine of affections.

basso continuoA notated (pre written) bass line that could

be improvised upon by a keyboard player or other soloist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR6IQ9SPSYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFDx-L7PcrY&p=81D26D4A47388279&index=28&feature=BF

Vocal and instrumental accompanimentExample; opera, and vocal soloshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Ed5iaG6xiII&feature=channel

The Doctrine of AffectionsThe Doctrine of the Affections or the Doctrine

of Affects is derived from the German word Affektenlehre. This is as theory in musical aesthetics widely accepted by the Baroque composers in the Baroque era from 1600- 1750.

The idea behind the Doctrine of the Affections is that one “rationalized” Affekt should be the focus of single movement of music and having more would lead to confusion.

The Piano

From the beginningThe invention of the piano is credited to the

Italian Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731). Cristofori was a keyboard instrument designer for the prince Ferdinand d' Medici of Florence at the turn of the 18th century. At this time, the most popular keyboard instruments were the harpsichord and the clavichord

The Harpsichord

Harpsichord cont…Precursor to the pianoProduced sound by plucking a tuned string Believed to have originated in the 1300’sThe design was perfected by the Ruckers

family in the late 1500’s. Their harpsichords used heavier construction and produced a louder/higher quality sound.

Harpsichord cont…

The Clavichord

The ClavichordBelieved to have originated in the 1400’sThe clavichord was simply an improvement

on the harpsichord.While a clavichord produced sound the same

way as a harpsichord, The musician was now able to let a note sound as long as they held down the key.

Piano Cont…Keyboard enthusiasts during Cristofori's time wanted

2 things:VOLUME (like the harpsichord)CONTROL (like the clavichord)Cristofori came up with the brilliant idea of replacing

the wire hooks of the two instruments with leather padded hammers. The result was an instrument that played both piano (soft) and forte (loud). The new keyboard became known as the pianoforte, which over the years has shortened to piano.

Early PianosWood Framed Iron strings (sometimes plated)Reverse “black and white” keysCustom “one of a kind” parts5 octave range

Modern Pianos Cast iron frameSteel and brass stringsIconic black and white keysMachined parts 6 to 7 octave range

FUGUEa musical composition in which one or two

themes are repeated or imitated by successively entering voices and are developed in a continuous interweaving of the voice parts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVadl4ocX0M

CannonSimilar to a fugue, but the imitating voices

begin quicker. http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=6wpPk8qk3uQ