Music in the Baroque
Period
Or, if it ain’t Baroque, don’t fix it.
1600-1750
Definition of Baroque
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“Baroque” is a term used to indicate a particular
style in the arts
“Baroque”: Fills space with action and
movement
Highly structured, detailed, and ornamented
Suited the tastes of the aristocracy
Music and Society
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Aristocracy extremely powerful
Hired a court composer and court musicians
Demand was for “new” music
Music was main source of fun and
entertainment
Court v. Church Music Directors
Characteristics of Baroque Music
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Unity of Mood
Continuity of Rhythm
Melodically driven
Terraced Dynamics
Polyphonic: 2 or more melodies competing for
our attention
Chords
Basso continuo/Figured bass
Baroque Orchestra
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Evolution of orchestra
based on instruments of
the violin family
10-40 players
Some use of trumpets
and timpani
Late baroque uses more
brass and woodwinds
Musical Forms
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Introduction of the Concerto
The Fugue
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Subject & Countersubject
Oratorio
OPERA!
Elements of Opera
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Libretto
Overture or Prelude
Recitative
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Accompanied v. Unaccompanied
Aria, especially da capo aria
Baroque Composers
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Claudio Monteverdi
Henry Purcell
Arcangelo Corelli
Antonio Vivaldi
George Frideric Handel
Johann Sebastian Bach