1. General Characteristics of Baroque Music Designed to be emotional More rigid formal design Modern tonality Organization and control replace experimentation Rhythm vitality Strong bass line

2. Monteverdi, Excerpts from L’Orfeo What is the story? What is the structure/form of this piece? What are recitative and arias? How can one tell them apart? How “natural” are the rhythms in the sung parts? What is word painting? Name some examples from this excerpt.

3. Purcell, Dido and Aeneas What is the story? How does the music reflect the story? What is a ground bass? How does it function in this piece? Explain the significance of rhythmic shifts.

4. Vivaldi, First Movement from The Four Seasons What is ritornello form? What is program music? How does Vivaldi make use of echo effects?

5. Bach, J.S., excerpts form the St. Matthew Passion What is a musical Passion? How does it relate to oratorios? To opera? What is the musical role of the narrator? Of Jesus? Of the Chorus? Describe the text/music relationships

6. Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah What is an oratorio? Is this piece typical? Describe the compositional process? What were the circumstances in which Handel composed it? How long did it take him? Describe and demonstrate the various textures. How does Handel create rhythmic interest? What is the overall form or structure of this excerpt?

7. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in E Minor What is a prelude? A fugure? What is the Subject? What is the Counter-subject (answer)? What are episodes?

8. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) First Movement from Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major What are the Brandenburg Concerti? How many are there? Why did Bach write them? How many movements are there in this concerto? What is the relationship between them in terms of tempo? Explain the relationship between the solo vs. ripieno sections.