1. The Baroque era (c )
An era of new ideas and innovations in the arts, literature and philosophy
Italy led the way in new ideas and fashion
Baroque comes from Barocco = Portuguese for ‘pearl’
Most famous baroque composers were

2. George Frideric Handel
Born in Germany in 1685
Devoted his life to music at age 18.
Famous pieces include ‘Water Music’, Music for the Royal Fireworks’ and ‘Messiah.
Went blind towards the end of his life and died in England in Buried in Westminster Abbey, London.

3. Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is an ‘Oratorio’?
Musical work based on words and stories from the bible
Uses operatic forms such as recitative, chorus and aria and, originally, was acted out with scenery and full costume
Similar to opera but only used texts for the story that were taken from the bible
By the time of Handel, the ‘acting’ element to the oratorio had ceased.

4. Messiah Most well-known of all the oratorios
Libretto (story/words) is in three main parts – telling the story of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Part 1 – prophecies tell of the coming of the Messiah; story of Jesus’ birth
Part 2 – ‘passion’ music of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus
Part 3 – tells of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead

5. Background to Messiah Composed in 1741 in just 24 days
Until 1741 Italian operas were very popular but these became less popular – the idea of sacred opera in English proved to be a popular substitute.
The church forbade biblical stories to be acted out in the theatre so they were performed in concert performances instead.

6. Features of Baroque music
Ornamented melodic parts
Major/minor key system (replaced modes)
Use of Diatonic chords of I, IV, V, II and VI
Basso continuo (continuous bass)
Variety of musical textures, such as monophonic, homophonic and polyphonic
Baroque orchestra – strings, harpsichord, trumpets, horns and drums. Various woodwind instruments, but not standardized.
Prevalence of one mood
Contrasting dynamics: Loud/Soft

7. Styles of music found in an Oratorio
Recitative – sung by a solo singer - the basic idea is to get the words of the narration over with a minimum use of music. Accompanied by just a few instruments.
Aria – a solo song with instrumental accompaniment. The music is more elaborate than in the recitative to display the vocal qualities and expertise of the singer.
Chorus – performed by a choir - sums up the action so far at that point in the drama

8. Title: And the Glory of the Lord’ by G.F. Handel

9. Handel uses 4 contrasting musical ideas One for each line of text
COPY
Handel uses 4 contrasting musical ideas One for each line of text
And the Glory of the Lord
shall be revealed
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

10. COPY 1. ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ 2. ‘shall be revealed’
Syllabic = one note per syllable
First 3 notes outline triad of A major
Stepwise scale ending
2. ‘shall be revealed’
Melismatic = several notes per syllable
Use of two descending sequences
3. ‘and all flesh shall see it together’
Repetitive idea (3 statements of a descending pattern)
4. ‘for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it’.
Long, repeated notes
COPY

11. COPY Sung by a choir (SATB) S = Soprano High female voices
A = Alto Low female voices
T = Tenor High male voices
B = Bass Low male voices

12. Instruments in ‘And the Glory of The Lord’
COPY
Instruments in ‘And the Glory of The Lord’
Violins 1
Violins 2
Violas
Continuo bass (‘cellos, doubles bass, harpsichord)
The orchestra would probably been quite small – about 16 players altogether.

13. COPY General Points Tempo -The chorus is marked allegro (fast)
Time signature - The chorus is in 3/4 time
The lively triple time dance tempo gives a feeling of ‘One in a bar’
Key signature -The home key is A major
Dynamics - The music is quite loud throughout

14. Summary of main choral styles
Example
Single-line writing (monophonic)
Bars 11-13
Four-part choir
(homophonic)
Bars 33 (beat 3) - 38
Simple imitation
Bars 17 (beat 3) onwards
Two ideas together
Bars
Doubling of parts
Bar 51 onwards ‘for the mouth’

15. Copy out the Summary table (p15)
Answer questions 1-9 in full sentences. (p15)