Baroque

Baroque Music
Baroque Playlist ♪
1600-1750
BAROQUE
It is derived from the Portuguese word

“barroco” which means “ pearl of irregular
shape”
Some of the great composers of this time
were George Friedrich Handel, Johann
Sebastian Bach, Claudio Monteverdi and
Antonio Vivaldi
Periods :

Early Baroque (1600-1650)
 Birth of the opera in Italy

Middle Baroque (1650-1700)
 French opera began in the court of Luis XIV
with Lully
 Development of instrumental music with the
sonata

Late Baroque (1700-1750)
 Great composers: Bach, Vivaldi, Händel,
Telemann, Scarlatti, Rameau
Characteristics of Baroque Music
Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental
Melodies are not easy to sing or remember
Primarily contrapuntal textures with some
homophony
Dynamic contrast – alternation between loud
and soft.
Music genres-opera, oratorios, suites, tocatas,
concerto grosso, fugue
Orchestra consist of strings and continuo
Harpsichord and organ are the keyboard
instruments that are commonly used.
New forms:
1. binary – AB
2. ternary – ABC
3. ground bass
4. fugue
MUSIC GENRES OF BAROQUE
MUSIC
1. Concerto – a form of orchestral music

that employs a solo instrument accompanied
by an orchestra.
2. Concerto Grosso – a form of orchestral
music during the baroque Period wherein
the music is between a small group of solo
instruments called concertino and the whole
orchestra called tutti.
3. Fugue
- a contrapuntal piece, developed mainly

by imitative counterpoint.
- it is usually written in 3 or 4 parts, with a
main theme called “subject”
- the entire piece grows mainly from a
single brief tune of strong musical
character.
4. Oratorio
A large scale musical composition for
orchestra and voices that incorporates
narratives on religious themes.
Unlike usual theatrical works, this is
usually performed without the use of
costumes, scenery or action.
It is usually written in the native
language for the intended audience.
Examples:
a. Handel’s “Messiah,” “Samson,”
“Israel,” and “Egypt”
b. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio”
c. Haydn’s “The Creation”
5. Chorale
Artistic period that expands from:
 1600: Premiere of the first

opera: L'Orfeo ♪, by Claudio
Monteverdi
 1750: Death of Johann

Sebastian Bach,one of the
greatest composers ever.
Social Context

Economic depression

Absolutists monarchies ('Luises' in France,
Spanish Empire)

Many scientific advances
 Heliocentric theory was reinforced by Galileo Galilei.
This ment that man wasn't the center of the Universe anymore
Aesthetic principles

Humanism from the
Renaissance gave way
to a new religious era

Arts demostrate the
power of God and kings

Baroque art looks for
the dramatic
expression using
constrast effects and
ornaments
Baroque Music
Very important and long era with revolutionary
changes

Birth of the harmony although polyphony is still practiced
Polyphony: several melodies Harmony: one melody + chords
New musical forms

Vocal
 Opera (big vocal composition with theatralic representation)
 Oratorio (religious opera with no representation)

Instrumental
 Suite (composition formed by several dances)
 Concerto (composition for a soloist instrument and orchestra)
Development of the orchestra

Thanks to:
 The improvement of the violin
family
 Addition of instruments
(transverse flute, horn)
 New musical forms (opera,

concerto)
History of the Baroque Orchestra (click)
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra (click)
BAROQUE ORCHESTRA (variable)

Violins, Violas, Cellos, Doublebasses

2 Flutes/Oboes, Basson

2 Horns, 2 trumpets

2 Timpani

Harpischord
Antonio Vivaldi (1687-1741)

He was born in Venecia

He was called 'The red monk'

His 477 concertos established the new form
(3 movements, contrast of tutti and soli)

He composed 'The Four Seasons', a set of 4
concerts for violin and orchestra
The Summer. 3rd movement ♪
The Spring. 1st movement ♪
The Autumn
The Winter
 Un príncipe en Venecia (trailer)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

He was born in Eisenach

He played organ, harpischord, violin & viola

His family was one of the greatest musician
family

He had 20 children and 2 wives

His work is considered the top of Baroque music
for its intellectual and artistic depth.
 Cantata BWV 147
 Prelude in C major ♪
 Goldberg Variations
 Tocata and Fuga ♪
 Badinerie ♪
- Mein name ist Bach (trailer)
 Suite for Violoncello ♪
- BBC Great Composers: J.S.Bach (trailer)
 Chaconne for Violin
G.F.Haendel (1685-1759)

He was born in Halle, Germany

He went to England after his success in
London with 'Rinaldo'

He nationalized British

Famous for his italian operas and oratorios

He created the Royal Academy of Music

His huge work is the synthesis of Italian,
English, German, and French styles.
 Rinaldo (Lascia ch'io pianga) ♪
 El Mesías (Aleluya) ♪

BBC Great Composers: Handel

God Rot Tunbridge Wells (Haendel vs Scarlatti scene)

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Baroque Music

It is derived from the Portuguese word

1. Concerto – a form of orchestral music

- a contrapuntal piece, developed mainly

 1600: Premiere of the first

 1750: Death of Johann

 New musical forms (opera,

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