THE BAROQUE PERIOD

Music Styles Concerto Grosso 3 movements (fast, slow, fast) Small group of soloists with a larger group of players Concerto Grosso in D minor (Antonio Vivaldi) LinkLink Fugue Polyphonic composition based on one main theme Imitation is main technique Fugue in G minor (Johann Sebastian Bach) LinkLink Sonata Composition in several movements for 1-8 instrumentalists Originated in Italy, but spread to Germany, England, and France Sonata for Trumpet, Strings, and Basso Continuo (Arcangelo Corelli) LinkLink

Music Styles Suite Several dance inspired movements National origins Germany: Allemande (Johann Sebastian Bach example)example France: Courante & Gavotte (Johann Sebastian Bach Courante example)example Spain: Sarabande (Johann Sebastian Bach example)example England/Ireland: Gigue (Charles Duiparte example)example Chorale Hymn tune sung to a religious German text Included a prelude to help the congregation remember how the melody went Jesu, mein Freude (Jesus, my Joy) Johann Sebastian Bach LinkLink Cantata Used mostly in Lutheran churches Vocal and instrumental Based on Sunday’s sermon Composers wrote new cantatas for each week Ein ungefarbt Gemute (An undyed mind) Johann Sebastian Bach LinkLink

Music Styles Oratorio LARGE scale work for soloists, choir, and orchestra Based on biblical stories, but not intended for church services Originated in Italy Messiah is the best known oratorio (George Friedrich Handel) Hallelujah Chorus G.F. Handel LinkLink Opera Drama that is sung with an orchestra background Libretto – Text of opera Aria – Solo Recitative - Choir

Opera Started in Italy around 1600 Must act and sing at the same time Voice Categories Coloratura soprano Very high and fast female singer Lyric soprano Light, graceful, and charming female singer Dramatic soprano Powerful, passionate female singer Lyric tenor Light, bright male singer Dramatic tenor Powerful, heroic male singer Basso Buffo Comical and fast male singer Basso Profundo Very low range, powerful, and dignified male singer

Opera Orchestra Opens the opera with a prelude Not in view of audience Claudio Monteverdi ( ) Wrote first opera, “Orfeo” (Orpheus) in 1607 Tu se morta – Act 2 LinkLink You are dead, you are dead, my dearest And I breathe; you have left me, You have left me forevermore, Never to return, and I remain— No, no, if my verses have any power I will go confidently to the deepest abysses And having melted the heart of the king of shadows Will bring you back ot me to see the stars again, Or, if pitiless fate denies me this, I will remain with you in the company of death. Farewell earth, farewell sky, and sun, farwell

Famous Composers Claudio Monteverdi Italian Madrigals, church music, and opera Wrote music with a lot of emotional intensity Henry Purcell London Buried under the Westminster Abbey organ Wrote church music, secular choral music, small instrumental works, and one opera Famous Work: Dido and Aeneas (opera) LinkLink

Famous Composers Arcangelo Corelli Italian Violinist and composer Wrote string music Famous Work: Trio Sonata in A minor LinkLink Antonio Vivaldi Venice, Italy “The Red Priest” Violin teacher, composer, conductor Wrote operas, church music, solo concertos Famous Work: The Four Seasons (Spring) LinkLink

Famous Composers Johann Sebastian (J.S.) Bach Germany Church felt his music was too complicated Church organist 20 children (10 survived into adulthood) Last job was Director of Music of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany Conductor, composer, organ teacher, performer, judged the construction of organs Composed every form except opera Polyphonic textures Many famous works! His death was the reason for the end of the Baroque period

Famous Composers George Friedrich Handel Germany (one month before Bach) Organist, violinist, harpsichordist Wrote operas and oratorios Famous Work: The Messiah

Activity Working with classmates and using your notes, fill out the Baroque Style Comparison Chart.