Music of the Baroque Time Period

From the Portuguese word for “Misshapen Pearl”, a negative description of the heavily ornamented music of this period

Clavichord The clavichord produced sound by striking a metal wedge striking against a string when a key was pressed. The sound quality was weak, but the instrument was able to produce some dynamics. It was mainly used in Germany and usually played as a solo instrument or in a small ensemble. Example: Prelude in D, Well Tempered Clavier I, JS Bach

Harpsichord The harpsichord usually had two manuals or keyboards. It's tone was produced with quills which plucked the strings mechanically every time a key was pressed. The tone of the harpsichord was stronger than the clavichord but it could not produce dynamics. Example: “Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou les Mailotins” Francios Couperin

Organs were mostly associated with church music and used as solo instruments or accompaniment instruments. Sound is produced with wind flowing through pipes of different lengths. How It’s Made: Pipe Organ

Violin

Viola

Cello Example: Clocks

Bassoon OboeFlute

Johann Sebastian Bach German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque Period. Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe. He was not widely recognized as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the main composers of the Baroque period, and as one of the greatest composers of all time

Famous Pieces: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude