1. The Baroque Music Period(1585-1750) General Music Grades 4-6 Mrs. Anne McClendon

2. What does the word Baroque mean? Baroque is a French word from Portugese origins that means an irregularly shaped pearl.

4. Characteristics of Baroque Music Use of a Basso Continuo - harpsichord and cello providing the base of the composition.Basso Continuo Emphasized contrasts in texture, pace and volume. Strong use of improvisation in both melodies, and the embellishments of those melodies. Most importantly - if you hear a harpsichord, it’s almost always Baroque. harpsichord

5. What should I know about the Baroque Period? Baroque Instruments Baroque Composers Scientific Discoveries Connection to U.S.A.

6. Common Baroque Instruments

10. ORGAN  Keyboard wind instrument  Commonly associated with church music  First invented in the 3 rd century BC

11. Harpsichord  Similar to piano  Strings played by plucking rather than hammering  Lost popularity when the pianoforte was invented

12. Baroque Composers

13. Johann Sebastian Bach  Member of a large musical family  Favorite instrument was the organ  His death in 1750 marked the end of the Baroque Period in music

14. George Frideric Handel  Born in Germany, studied music in Italy, and lived mainly in England  Best known for his vocal works  Went blind late in his life.

15. Antonio Vivaldi  The son of a professional violinist  Was a Catholic priest  Composed The Four Seasons.

16. Scientific Discoveries  People were beginning to trust their own minds  Scientists such as Galileo and Newton were unlocking the secrets of the universe  Telescope  Microscope

18. During the Baroque Period…  The first permanent British colony is formed in Jamestown, VA,(1607)  The first African slaves are brought to British America(1619)  20 young women are tried and killed for witchcraft in Salem, Mass.(1692)  George Washington is born in Virginia. (1732)

19. CRITICAL LISTENING

20. Journal Entry What did Vivaldi want you to think of when you listened to “Spring?” What instruments did you hear that made you think of certain things?