Baroque
1600-1750
What is Baroque?
The Baroque era is a
period of music
history, lasting from
approximately 1600
to 1750.
Why is Baroque important?
The Baroque era is really important for several reasons:
Vivaldi 1678-1741
1.
It’s when ‘Major and Minor’ scales became used for
the first time.
2.
New instruments were invented such as the Violin
and Harpsichord
3.
Some really great music was written, by famous
composers, and the pieces are still played today.
4.
It saw big developments in the structure of music,
such as the Concerto and the Fugue.
What was the Baroque era like?
Baroque architecture
was very decorative.
The cultural centre of the
world was Venice, Italy.
Baroque fashion was
to dress very fancy!
So what did Baroque music sound like?
Dynamics changed very suddenly –
LOUD sections,
Followed by QUIET sections
This was called STEP dynamics
Baroque music is CONTRAPUNTAL,
having several melodies INTERWEAVING
making it sound complex.
In a word... Fancy!
Just like the style at the
time, Baroque music is
very
DECORATED
and very
ORNAMENTED.
The melody
is often
decorated
with TRILLS
and other
flourishes.
What Baroque instruments should I listen for?
Lots of strings!
A combination of a Bass instrument
and a Harpsichord
is called a BASSO CONTINUO.
They play the backing for a melody.
A HARPSICHORD looks like a
keyboard, but the strings are
plucked, making it sound more
‘shimmery’ than a piano.
What would I not hear?
Piano
Invented around 1780
Clarinet
Invented during this time
but not very common
Who were the key composers?
Vivaldi
Italian
Bach
German
Handel
British
Summary of the Baroque Era
Composers
Musical Style
Instruments
Vivaldi
Bach
Handel
Very fancy and
decorative melodies,
sudden changes in
dynamics.
Harpsichord
Strings, strings,
and more
strings!
Now go back to the VLE and listen to some examples of Baroque Music