1. The Baroque Period

2. Historical Facts
Galileo & Newton were discovering new ways to explain the universe
In music, art, architecture, and fashion, fancy decoration & ornamentation became the rule
Men & Women wore wigs and coats with lace
Composers continued to be employeed by the church & wealthy- the patronage system
Patrons paid for the composer’s work, so they decided what they wrote- limiting creative freedom
Important Composers:
Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel, Johann Pachelbel, Georg Phillip Telemann, Henry Purcell and Antonio Vivaldi.

3. Baroque Characterisitics
Form
Dances were popular during this period as well as preludes, fugues, suites, toccatas and theme and variations. Binary ( 2 beat) and ternary ( 3 beat) forms were used frequently.
Harmony
Two or more melodies played at the same time created a musical texture called counterpoint. There were frequent harmonic changes. Tonality was based on major and minor keys.

4. Baroque Characteristics, Cont’d
Keyboard instruments
clavichord, harpsichord, and organ
Rhythm
Emphasis was on strong beats, upbeats and fast-changing rhythmic motion. Eighths, 16ths and triplets were frequently used.
Eighth note = ½ beat
16th note = ¼ beat
Triplet divides the beat in 3
Style
Faster notes were normally played legato- connected & smooth
Slower notes were normally played nonlegato.- seperated
Ornaments were used frequently

5. Trends in Music Complex polyphonic music Accompanying chords
Dynamics & tempo markings
Dynamics- volume
Tempo- speed
Improvisation
Used music to express emotions- joy & anger

6. Vocal Baroque Music
Opera- combined music, acting, scenery, costumes, and props
Actors and actresses sing the libretto (script)
Opera Seria- Serious Opera
Opera Buffa- Funny Opera
First Opera- “Orfeo” by Claudio Monteverdi
Cantata- series of arias and recitatives, not staged or acted

7. Instrumental Baroque Music
Instruments- flute, oboe, bassoon, trombone, valveless trumpets and horns, harpsichord, organ, timpani
Music written for instruments contained several sections called movements
Concerto
featured one soloist or a group of soloists
usually contained three movements (fast-slow-fast).
Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons

8. Composers Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Dietrich Buxtehude
Arcangelo Corelli ( )
Francois Couperin ( )
Girolamo Frescobaldi
George Frideric Handel ( )
Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre ( )
Jean-Baptiste Lully
Claudio Monteverdi ( )
Jacopo Peri
Georg Phillip Telemann
Henry Purcell ( )
Jean-Philippe Rameau ( )
Alessandro Scarlatti
Heinrich Schutz ( )
Antonio Vivaldi ( )