Music of the Baroque Period The first use of the term “Baroque” in music was in “Baroque” is used to describe an artistic style across different art forms Started in Rome, Italy Tension, Exuberance, Grandeur, Ornate How would you describe Baroque Art?

Music of the Baroque Period Historical Themes Increasing Importance of Scientific Investigation Scientists broke away from the old model of proofing prior assumptions, and instead worked on devising new hypotheses through observation and experimentation. Palace of Versailles Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1622) Small group of leaders (Kings, queens, emperors) wielded absolute power in Europe Louis XIV of France (1638 – 1715) Culmination of Royal Despotism “l'état, c'est moi” – “I am the state” (absolutism) Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727)

Music of the Baroque Period Historical Themes cont. Development of the New World The English, French, and Spanish holdings in the New World continued to supply Europe with wealth As generations passed, colonists began growing allegiance to their new homes, which eventually led to the independence of these lands Sculptors found ways to create the illusion of energetic, even violent movement in their works Giovanni Bernini (1598 – 1680) Artificiality & Marvelous effects valued in Arts Painters created larger and more crowded canvases Virtuosity was highly priced in all the arts

Music of the Baroque Period Musical Context A Time of Experimentation Embracing new idea: Music could move the listener in a real and physical way Opera, a blend of music and drama, is the full realization of this ideal Composers experimented with ways of creating impressive effects in Instrumental Music as well

Music continued to be used as an important tool of statecraft (conducting public affairs) Expanding Roles of Music Extravagant musical styles served as rich adornment to religious services in both Catholic and Protestant churches Music, especially Opera, became an important source of entertainment for the growing merchant and land-owner classes Music of the Baroque Period Musical Context Cont.

Music of the Baroque Period Musical Context Cont. Growing awareness of National Styles Distinct styles in both vocal and instrumental music developed in Italy, France, and Germany Composers were aware of these differences and used them in their music. For example: A French composer would write and label a piece: “In the Italian Style” The superiority of various styles was often the subject of heated debate

Music of the Baroque Period Full Equality of Instrumental Music New instrumental forms, such as the *concerto and *sonata developed Instruments started playing equally important roles even in vocal music (not only as accompaniment) Musical Context Cont. *Concerto – Musical composition usually in three parts (movements) in which a solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra *Sonata – Literally means a musical piece played, and not sung (cantata). Evolved to a composition for one or two instruments, typically in three or four parts (movements) set in contrasting forms and keys

Music of the Baroque Period Instrument makers created new types of instruments Instrumental Music Cont. The violin became the most important string instrument for its ability to showcase virtuosity Virtuosos (Antonio Vivaldi, Archangelo Corelli) reflected these abilities in their own compositions Performers reached new heights of expression and techniques Musical Context Cont. Listening: Vivaldi Violin Concerto - Spring Listening: Bach Violin Sonata No. 2 Movement 2

Music of the Baroque Period Basso Continuo – Accompaniment played keyboard or bass instruments (Cello, Double Bass ) Musical Style Textures – Primarily “Melody & Accompaniment” Voices and instruments are freely mixed Newly developed instruments provided rich palette of tone color Rhythm – often taken from dance rhythms Melodies – Ornate and often make use of dramatic leaps Harmony – based on major/minor tonality (less modal), and dissonances become more common Structure – Based on repetition and simple binary and ternary forms Listening: Monteverdi - Beatus Vir qui timet Dominum (Basso Continuo, mixing) Listening: Merula - Ciaconna for Two Violins (Basso Continuo, Dance Rhythm)

Composers of the Baroque Period Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567 – 1643) Listening: Monteverdi – L’Orfeo Leading composer of late Renaissance and early Baroque Composed: Operas: “L’Orfeo” (Greek legend of “Orpheus”) First opera to realize all its full potentials Secular Vocal: 9 books of Madrigals Sacred Vocal: Vespers (Evening Prayer) Masses, Motets, and Psalms Music composition as an outgrowth of the written words

Composers of the Baroque Period Henry Purcell (1659 – 1695) Listening: Purcell – Dido and Aeneas – “When I am laid in earth” (Dido’s Lament) Leading English composer and organist of early Baroque Uniquely English form of Baroque Music Incorporating Italian & French elements Secular & Sacred Vocal Instrumental Music Composed: Opera: “Dido and Aeneas” (Virgil’s Aeneid) Semi-Opera: “The Fairy-Queen” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) Listening: Purcell – The Fairy-Queen

Composers of the Baroque Period Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741) Leading Italian composer and violinist Development of Concerto form Chamber Music Sacred Vocal: Oratorio, Mass, Hymn Composed: Orchestral Music: Over 500 Concerti (239 for the violin), including The Four Seasons (Program Music) Secular Vocal: Cantatas and over 50 Operas His concerti are definitive of the genre in the Baroque, into the Classical Era Listening: Vivaldi Violin Concerto – Le Quattro Stagioini “The Four Seasons”

Composers of the Baroque Period George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759) Listening: Handel – Messiah “Hallelujah Chorus” Leading English composer, German by birth Contrast to J. S. Bach: Sacred & Secular vocal music: Instrumental Music Celebrated as English National Treasure Concerti, Sonatas, Suites, Chamber Music Operas (over 40), Oratorios, Cantatas, Arias Composed for the public; man of the world; a world traveler “The Messiah” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” Composed:

Composers of the Baroque Period Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) Most famous and most important German composer and organist of the Baroque era (and maybe all time) – a true genius Created music of the highest-level of craftsmanship based employers’ demand Sacred & Secular Vocal: Cantatas, Motets, Passions, Mass, Oratorio, etc. Composed: Instrumental Music: Concerti, Suites, Sonatas & Partitas, Keyboard Music, Organ Music Listening: 1. Toccata & Fugue 2. Chaconne 3. St. Matthew’s Passion Studied works of his contemporaries Deeply religious, passion for completeness