S3 Listening Unit 2 Baroque Music
The word Baroque was first used to describe the highly Decorative and Grand style of Architecture and art of the 17th Century Musicians adopted the word using it to describe the musical styles of the years 1600-1750
The system of Modes, which the tonality was based on in the Medieval and Renaissance periods was disused and by the end of the 17th Century music was based on Major and Minor tonalities Many new musical structures were introduced and developed by Baroque composers including...... Aria Opera Suite Oratorio Concerto Grosso Recitative Fugue
The were Many important composers in the baroque period The were Many important composers in the baroque period.... The 2 most influential were George Frederic Handel 1685-1759 Born Halle Saxony Died London England Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750 Born Thuringia Germany Died Leipzig Germany
Baroque Instrumental Music The Baroque Orchestra Contained A string Section 1 or 2 Flutes (or recorders), Oboes and Bassoons 1 or 2 Horns and occasionally trumpets (NO VALVES !!!) Timpani Organ or Harpsichord (Continuo) The Violin family (Violin, Viola, Cello and Double bass) replaced the viols of the rennaisance period in the first half of the baroque period
The organ or harpsichord played a continuo or figured bass The performer follows a Bass line with a series of figures (Figured bass) which tells the player which chords to improvise around
The key styles of instrumental composition in the baroque period were............. Concerto Grosso Fugue Suite Ground Bass
Was one of the most important forms developed in the Baroque period Concerto Grosso Was one of the most important forms developed in the Baroque period In concerto Grosso, a small group of soloists called the Concertino contrast against the orchestra Ripieno The most well known concerto Grosso are the Brandenburg concertos by J.S Bach
Fugues were mostly written for Harpsichord or organ Composers moved away from the homophonic texture; where all parts move together to polyphonic/contrapuntal writing, where 2 or more parts move at different times from each other The fugue is the most important type of Polyphonic writing in the Baroque period, and is based on imitation The fugue uses 3 or 4 parts which merge together and overlap using imitation Fugues were mostly written for Harpsichord or organ
The suite is a set of dances originating from the Renaissance period Suites contain several contrasting dances Allemande Sarabande Passepied Courante Bouree Gigue/Jig In compound time (6/8, 9/8.......) Very fast tempo Minuet In ¾ simple time Ternary form ???? Lively 2/4 or 4/4 Begins with anacrusis Other than the Minuet, the dances are usually in Binary form
Feature Opera Oratorio The 2 main types of Baroque vocal compositions are Opera and Oratorio, These are similar but have some differences.... Feature Opera Oratorio 4 Part Choir Yes Orchestra Solo Voices Sacred Story No Secular story Costumes Scenery Acting Opera would be performed in a concert Hall or Opera house Oratorio would be performed in a church
The solo song in opera and Oratorio is called an Aria, The Key features of and Aria are....... Accompanied by orchestra Usually in Ternary form Known as Da Capo Arias Syllabic: where each syllable of each word is given 1 musical note to be sung Melismatic: where each syllable can be given more than one note per syllable Word Painting: Where the musical line reflects the words being sung
The choir in an Opera or Oratorio is called a Chorus In an Oratorio there is a chorus known as a Chorale... A Chorale is another name for a Hymn tune Chorales are also found outwith an Oratorio..... J.S Bach wrote many of these The key features of a Chorale are.. Sung in 4 part Harmony (SATB) Use of definate cadences Use of Passing notes Use of Suspensions
The key features of a Chorale are.. Sung in 4 part Harmony (SATB) Use of definate cadences Use of Passing notes Use of Suspensions