Baroque Composer
Webquest
8th Grade General Music
The Baroque Era
The Baroque Era spanned the 150 years
from 1600 to 1750.
 QUESTION ONE: In what century did the
Baroque Era begin?
 HELP SPOT!
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach is considered by
many music historians to be the most
influential musical figure of the Baroque
Era, and one of the most influential
musical figures of all time.
 So important he was to the Baroque Era,
that the year of his death (1750) marks
the end of the entire era!
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Facts about J.S. Bach
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QUESTION 2 – How many children did Bach
have?
QUESTION 3 – What are Bach’s birth and death
dates?
QUESTION 4 – Why did Bach spend time in jail?
QUESTION 5 – What country was Bach from?
QUESTION 6 – Was Bach’s musical genius
recognized when he was living?
QUESTION 7 – How old did Bach live to be?
George Frederic Handel
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How many of you have heard the famous
“Halleluja Chorus” at Christmas time?
Written by Handel, the “Messiah” is often
what this composer is most well known
for. Handel, however, had a much larger
handle on the music world of the Baroque
Era!
QUESTION 8 – Why do you assume
Handel had to play his spinet in the attic?
 QUESTION 9 – What is a barber surgeon,
and who in George’s life chose this
profession?
 QUESTION 10 – Before becoming a
professional musician, what did Handel
study at college?
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George Frederic Handel, cont.
QUESTION 11 – What is the tradition response
from the audience during the playing of the
“Halleluja Chorus” and who began this tradition?
 QUESTION 12 – How old did Handel live to be?
 QUESTION 13 – Given the number of people in
attendance at his funeral, would you assume
that Handel’s musical gifts were recognized and
appreciated during his lifetime?
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Antonio Vivaldi
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While many of you may never have heard
of Vivaldi, most of you would undoubtedly
recognize themes from his famous “Four
Seasons” which are used often for
commercials on television. Vivaldi is the
third and final outstanding musician of the
Baroque Era we’ll be studying.
Antonio Vivaldi
QUSESTION 14 – What nationality was
Vivaldi?
 QUSTION 15 – What was Vivaldi’s first
chosen profession?
 QUESTION 16 – How old did Vivaldi live to
be?
 QUESTION 17 – How would those who
knew him describe Vivaldi’s personality?
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J.S. Bach – listening response
QUESTION 18
 Listen to the Toccatta and Fugue by J.S.
Bach, and using complete sentences,
please answer the following questions:
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 What
instruments do you hear?
 What, if any, of the three characteristics of
Baroque music does this piece possess?
 How would you describe this song? (eg –
happy, energetic, dark, sad, etc.).
G. F. Handle – listening response
QUESTION 19
 Listen to the Water Music, Royal Fireworks Suite
by G.F. Handle, and using complete sentences,
please answer the following questions:
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What instruments do you hear?
What, if any, of the three characteristics of Baroque
music does this piece possess?
How would you describe this song? (eg – happy,
energetic, dark, sad, etc.).
Antonio Vivaldi – listening response
QUESTION 20
 Listen to Spring, by Antonio Vivaldi and, using
complete sentences, please answer the following
questions:
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Have you ever heard this song before? If so, where?
What instruments do you hear?
What, if any, characteristics of Baroque Music does
this piece possess?
In your own words, describe this song. (Happy, sad,
etc.).