Chapter 7:
Introduction to Baroque Art and Music
The Baroque Era (1600-1750)
• First appeared in Italy
• Baroque:
Baroque Architecture and Music
Baroque Music
• Grandiose music composed for such vast spaces
• Compositions for “colossal” forces
• Highly ornamental melody above a solid chordal
foundation
• Doctrine of the Affections:
Arcangelo Corelli –
Sonata for Violin and Basso Continuo, Opus 5, No.1
• Bass provides the structural support while the violin
adds elaborate decoration above
Baroque Painting and Music
Characteristics of Baroque Music
• Remarkable variety of musical style
• Introduction of many new musical genres:
– Opera, cantata, oratorio, sonata, concerto, and suite
• Two elements remain constant
Expressive Melody
• Use of soloist to communicate raw individual emotion
• All voices not created equal
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Monody: “Solo song”
Rock-Solid Harmony
• Basso continuo (continual bass):
• Figured bass:
Elements of Baroque Music Harmony
• Chord progressions that we hear today originated in
the Baroque
• Music built around stock chord progressions
• Modern “two-key” system: Major and Minor
Elements of Baroque Music Rhythm
• Meter and certain rhythmic patterns are established at
the beginning and continue to the end
• Strong recurring beat (groove)
Elements of Baroque Music Dynamics
• Use of two basic terms: piano (soft) and forte (loud)
• Terraced dynamics: