1600-1750



Early (1600-1640)- favored homophonic
texture (one main melody)
Middle (1640-1680)- importance of
instrumental music (violin family most
popular)
Late (1680-1750)- best music known today
comes from this period




Mood- usually expresses one basic mood and
remains in that mood throughout the piece
Rhythm- patterns heard at the beginning of
the piece are usually heard throughout
Melody- many are not easy to sing or
remember
Dynamics- volumes tend to stay constant
throughout. When they do shift it is usually
sudden

Alternation between loud and soft volume in
a piece of music
Instead of being in the service of the church,
composers now were being employed by the
wealthy.
 Music director- good job and good pay, but no
matter what the director had to answer to the
patron
 Jobs for church musicians- churches,
processions, concerts, university graduations
 Jobs for town musicians- clubs, university
societies, private homes, coffeehouses, taverns




Modern orchestral instruments that we still
use today were developed during this period
Woodwinds became popular- flute, clarinet,
bassoon, trumpet, and French horn
The entire string family that we know today
was developed, including the violin, viols,
cello, and double bass.



Modern keyboard family was also developed
including the modern piano.
Early Baroque -favored the harpsichord
Later Baroque- the piano replaced the
harpsichord


Up to this point composers were considered
to be in the service of the church.
Now we see composers being employed by
the wealthy ruling class- The Patronage
System



Kapellmeister- music director
Konezertmeister- concertmaster
Kantor- teacher



The motet continued to be an integral part of
the Roman Catholic tradition throughout the
Baroque era.
Grand motet- contrasted solo voices
(accompanied by instruments) with a larger
chorus
Antiphonal- exchanges between choirs and
instruments (Germany)