Music of the Baroque Period
The Baroque period covers music written between approximately
1625 and 1750. Famous composers of this style include Bach,
Handel and Vivaldi.
In the Baroque era, the architecture at the time was very grand
and decorative and this was reflected in the music.
The Baroque period saw the development of certain types of work
such as the Opera and the Oratorio. The orchestra was smaller
than those of today and used fewer percussion instruments.
Baroque music includes both vocal and instrumental works.
Vocal Music
There are two main works of Baroque vocal music. They are the
Opera and the Oratorio.
An Opera is a large scale work for S.A.T.B choir and orchestra. It
uses songs, acting and scenery to tell a story. There is usually no
dialogue. This is a non-religious work.
Listen to this example of an Opera.
An Oratorio is similar to an Opera, using the S.A.T.B Choir,
soloists and Orchestra and is also set on stage with scenery.
However, in an Oratorio, the text used is religious and follows a
biblical theme.
Listen to this example of an Oratorio. In this example, one part copies
another, what is this called? __________________
Also in this example, melisma is a common feature. This is when
the singer uses more than one note for one syllable. The opposite
of melisma is syllabic. This is when each syllable has a different
note.
Before an Opera or Oratorio starts there is an introduction which is
played by the orchestra alone. This is called the Overture.
Listen to this example of an Overture.
In each of these works, the choir used is an S.A.T.B chorus. This
stands for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. The chorus can be used
as a whole choir or individuals can do solo songs.
Listen to this example of a chorus. Name the keyboard instrument in the
accompaniment. ___________________________
There are two different types of solo song, an Aria and a
Recitative.
An Aria is sung by a solo singer and is accompanied by an
Orchestra. It is often quite long.
Listen to this example of an Aria. Name the solo voice. _______________
A Recitative is also for a soloist or a duet. The recitative is almost
half-spoken, half- sung and is controlled by the singer. The
accompaniment follows at the singers speed and is usually quite
limited.
Listen to this example of a recitative. Name the solo voice. _______________
In the Baroque period, three more types of voices were introduced.
These are shown below.
SOPRANO
Mezzo Soprano – range between Soprano and alto
ALTO
Counter Tenor – male alto. Higher than tenor voice
TENOR
Baritone – range between Tenor and Bass
BASS
Listen to each of the voices.
When the chorus sings different textures can be used.
Homophonic – All parts are moving at the same time. E.g hymn
tunes.
Polyphonic/contrapuntal – Parts all move at different times and
interact with each other. They each have separate melodic lines.
Listen to the textures of the following pieces and write down the answers.
1. __________________
2. __________________
As well as large scale works, there are also two smaller scale
works, the Cantata and the Passion.
The Cantata is a smaller version of the opera. It also uses
choruses and solo songs. These are accompanied by orchestra or
harpsichord and cello. (continuo)
Listen to this Cantata.
The Passion is similar to the Oratorio however it is solely based on
the Crucifixion of Christ.
Now answer the following example questions.
1. Listen to the piece and tick the correct voice.
Countertenor
Soprano
Mezzo Soprano
Baritone
2. Listen to another excerpt and tick two boxes to identify what you hear.
Homophony
Polyphony
Cadenza
Voices in unison/octaves
A cappella
3. Listen to this excerpt and tick one box to describe what you hear.
Recitative
Aria
Chorale
Chorus
4. Listen to this excerpt and tick one box in each column.
Column A
Column B
Contrary motion
Melismatic word setting
Round
Syllabic word setting
Ostinato
Scat
Rallentando
5. Tick the type of voice you hear.
Alto
Countertenor
Baritone
6. Listen to this excerpt. Tick one box in each column.
Column A
Column B
Column C
French Horn
Recitative
Obbligato
Saxophone
Aria
Tierce de Picardie
Trumpet
Chorus
Coda
7. Listen to this excerpt and tick two boxes to describe what you hear.
Homophony
Polyphony
Scat singing
Syllabic word setting
Melismatic word setting
Music of the
Baroque Period
Instrumental Music
Composers such as Vivaldi and Bach also wrote works for
Instruments and orchestras in the baroque period. As mentioned
before the orchestras were not as large in this era and some
instruments were just being introduced. The percussion section
was much smaller and the timpani were the main instruments in
this section.
This is an example of the size of the Baroque orchestra.
They wrote Concertos for particular instruments. For example,
Vivaldi wrote the violin concerto, ‘The Four Seasons’. This has four
different sections or movements.
Listen to an example from this.
Bach wrote many works for piano. These include preludes and
fugues. He wrote one in each major and minor key.
Listen to an example of one.
Works were also written for full orchestra, for example Handel’s
‘Water Music’.
Listen to an example from this.
Music written for a small group was known as Chamber Music. This
would only include 1 or 2 of a similar kind of instrument. For example, a
wind quintet may consist of flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and horn.
This picture shows a small chamber group from the baroque period. It
consists of harpsichord, 2 violins, 2 cellos, 2 horns and a double bass.
This is a harpsichord. It was a very commonly used instrument in the
baroque period. It is similar to a piano but the strings are plucked rather
than struck to produce the sound.
Concepts Learned
Melodic
Melismatic word setting
Syllabic word setting
Harmonic
Suspension
Tierce de Picardie
Structural
Unison/octave
Harmony
Accompanied/ unaccompanied
Homophony
Polyphony
Contrapuntal
Coda
Obbligato
Cadenza
Timbre
Mezzo-soprano, countertenor, baritone
A cappella
Chamber Music
Orchestra
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Styles / Forms
Opera
Oratorio
Overture
Aria
Recitative
Chorus
Passion
Chorale
Concerto