LESSON 2
Two of the masters of music
during the Renaissance period
were Josquin des Prez qnd
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, a
renowned Italian composer of sacred
music, was a choirmaster in Rome.
His main focus was to return Church
music to simplicity and purity, satisfying
the desires of Church leaders in the
16th century.
His music was known for clarity and
balance,
with
beautiful,
balanced
melodies and proper stress and length.
Palestrina's sacred music included 104
masses, over 250 motets, and 200
liturgical pieces.
LESSON 3
The Baroque era, following the Renaissance and
Classical eras, was characterized by ornateness,
grandeur, and flamboyance in architecture and
painting. It was associated with unity of mood
and rhythm, continuous melody, and terraced
dynamics. This era saw significant changes in
music, vocal and instrumental styles, and famous
instruments.
Vocal forms of the Baroque period followed the
monodic style, with a single predominant voice
part supported by an accompaniment played by
instruments like viola de gamba and harpsichord.
The accompaniment was called basso continuo,
figured bass, or thorough bass and included a
written bass line with numerals below the notes
OPERA
A
dramatic
composition
performed by singers and
instrumentalists
with
elements of spoken theater,
like acting and costumes.
Example:
Monteverdi's
"L'Orfeo."
CANTATA
A vocal composition for a
soloist
or
choir
accompanied
by
instruments,
based
on
secular
or
religious
narrative poems.
Example: JS Bach's "Awake. A
Voice is Calling Us."
ORATORIO
An extended musical drama based on religious
matter, performed without scenery or action,
involving chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra.
Example: Handel's "Messiah," featuring the famous
"Hallelujah Chorus."
The Baroque period includes
two instrumental forms:
Concerto Grosso and Suite.
Consists mainly of string instruments,
with a few solo instruments called the
concertino playing in opposition to the
whole orchestra called tutti.
It has three movements - fast, slow, and fast.
Fast: Vigorous and determined, showing
contrast between soloists and tutti.
Slow: Quieter, often lyrical and intimate.
Fast: Lively and carefree, with a dance-like
character.
Examples of Concerto Grosso:
"Brandenburg Concerto in D major" by J.S.
Bach and "Christmas Concerto" by
Arcangelo Corelli.
A group of works held together by story,
mood, or idea, featuring instrumental
music with different movements in the
same key based on dance music.
Other terms for Baroque group of
dances include Partita, Overture,
and Sonata de Camera.
Examples of Suite: "Water Music" by Handel
and "Badinerie" from Suite No.2 in B minor
by J.S. Bach.
Recorder
Trompe dauphine
Oboe
Viols
Violin
Lute
Clavichord
Harpischord