MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD

Transcription

1 MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD

2 How to use this presentation Read through all the information on each page. When you see the loudspeaker icon click on it to hear a musical example of the concept described in the slide. Make sure you listen to the entire example. Move between pages by clicking the arrows on the bottom left of each page. Do not click the Return to Baroque Features links until you have gone through the whole presentation. Towards the end of the presentation you will find a chart with shortcuts to each of the topics covered. Once revised follow the link at the bottom of the last page of the section to return to the chart. If you have Internet access you will be able to use the page at the end of the presentation which has hyperlinks to various useful websites that will help with your study of this and other topics..use them!

3 The word Baroque was first used to describe the highly decorative and often grand style of architecture and art of the 17 th century. Musicians borrowed the word, and used it to describe the musical styles of the period spanning 150 years, from the birth of oratorio and opera to the death of J. S. Bach. Example of Baroque Architecture

4 Composers of the Baroque Period Although there were various many composers around at this time the two who are considered to be of most importance are J.S. Bach and G. F. Handel J.S. Bach G. F. Handel

5 Johann Sebastian Bach Born in 1685 youngest child of a professional musician. Composed over 200 Cantatas 3 Passions, Mass in B Minor Organ music The Well Tempered Clavier (The 48 ) Baroque Pipe Organ Console English and French Suites, Brandenburg Concertos Chamber music.

6 George Frederick Handel Born in 1685 in Halle, Saxony in Germany. Wrote many operas Rinaldo, Scipio and Julius Caesar. Wrote 19 Oratorios Messiah, Israel In Egypt. Orchestral Music The Water Music & The Fireworks Music. Concerti Grossi; Organ Concertos Harpsichord Music Harpsichord

7 Other composers of the Baroque period Gluck ( ) Scarlatti ( ) Purcell ( ) Corelli ( ) Return to Baroque Features Chart

8 Music for Orchestra It was during the Baroque period that the orchestra first began to take shape. Here are some typical features of the Baroque orchestra. A firm basis of strings to which composers would add other instruments: one or two flutes (or recorders), oboes, bassoons, perhaps horns, occasionally trumpets and timpani. The sound of the organ or harpsichord continuo a bass line in which the player was expected to fill in the harmonies. Sometimes figures were written under the bass line indicating the chords the composer would like played. This was called figured bass. Effects of contrast, especially of dynamics and timbres. Example of a Baroque orchestra

9 The Baroque Orchestra Return to Baroque Features Chart

10 Instrumental Music The Concerto One of the most important instrumental forms used by Baroque composers is the concerto. There are two main types, each based upon the idea of contrast. The Concerto Grosso contrasting a small group of Solo instruments, called the Concertino, against a String orchestra called the Ripieno. The Solo Concerto featuring a single soloist (often given difficult passages to Play) against a string orchestra. Example of a Baroque concerto Example of a Concerto Grosso Return to Baroque Features Chart

11 Ritornello Form Ritornello literally means a little return. It is a term that was used in the 17th century for a brief introduction or interlude in a vocal composition, or for a brief instrumental passage between the scenes of a 17th century opera. In a concerto grosso the Ritornello is the main theme played by the ripieno group (the orchestra) and sometimes by the concertino (the soloists). The Ritornello may return frequently throughout the movement, similar to a rondo. Example of a Ritornello Return to Baroque Features Chart

12 Fugue A contrapuntal piece based on a theme (subject) announced in one voice part alone, then imitated by other voices in close succession. Elements Found Within the Fugue The Fugue is a complicated musical form and as such has various sections within it. These sections include the Exposition, Subject, Tonal Answer, Real Answer, Tonal Sequence, Countersubject, Episode, and Stretto. Example of a Organ Fugue by J.S.Bach

13 Ornaments Of The Baroque Era During the Baroque period it became popular for composers to use Ornaments to decorate their melodies. Ornaments are often short and add melodic and rhythmic interest to the composer s melodies. The Ornaments used at this time include the Acciaccatura, the Appoggiatura, the Turn and the Mordent. Goldberg Variations - Aria

14 Acciaccatura The Acciaccatura is an ornament which sounds like a crushed note played very quickly on the beat or just before it. Written Played Example of Acciaccatura

15 Appoggiatura The Appoggiatura is an ornament which sounds like a leaning note. It takes half the value of the main note which follows it or two-thirds if the main note is dotted. Written Played Example of Appoggiatura

16 Turn The Turn is an ornament which has four notes which turn around the main note, the note above, the main note the note below and the main note again. An Inverted Turn starts with the note below, reversing the process. Written Played Example of Turn

17 The Mordent The Mordent is an ornament that sounds the main note, the note above and the main note again. An Inverted Mordent does the reverse. Written Played Example of Mordent Return to Baroque Features Chart

18 MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD