First Name: ANSWER KEY Last Name: The Baroque Period Baroque Class Period: 1600-1750 The term Baroque is taken from the Portuguese word Barroco meaning: irregularly shaped pearl. A key word to describe this time period is fancy. Daily Life The fork was invented in Italy during this time period. The game croquet was invented in England and made very popular. This was a time for kings, castles, development of trade, and education. War Thirty Years War Science A. Galileo Galilei C. Isaac Newton B. William Harvey This war took place from 1618 to 1648. It mostly took place in Germany and was between the Protestants and the Catholics. This war resulted in a lot of famine and disease that was devastating to the people. A. Built the first practical telescope. B. Studied the circulation of blood and the function of the heart. C. Discovered many natural laws including gravity. Sculpture Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini: Probably the most famous sculptor and architect of this time that created the altar in St. Peter s Basilica. 1
Life of a Musician They worked for Kings, Royal Courts, and/or the church. They were expected to improvise, compose, and teach music if they wanted to make any money. o What does Improvise mean? Make up music on the spot. Musicians had to stay in favor of their patrons so they would not lose their jobs. Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685 and died in 1750. He was born into a large family of musicians. The instruments he played included: Organ Harpsichord Clavichord Violin Harpsichord, Clavichord, Violin, Organ Bach s parents died when he was 10 years old. His older brother Christoph took care of him. o He taught Bach how to play the harpsichord and the organ. At the age of 18, he became the organist at Arnstadt where he began to compose music. o To compose music means: to write music. At the age of 22 he married Maria Barbara Bach and they had 7 children. 2
Employers Bach worked as a violinist and church organist for the Duke of Weimar for 9 years. He was 32 when he began working for Prince Leopold of Anhalt- Cothen. Organ The idea of the organ came from the instrument, the panpipes. There are air currents that need to blow across the piping. When you press a key on the organ, it opens a valve that allows the air to release across a specific pipe. You can think about blowing across a soda bottle! Pistons Manuals Manuals: You can have them preset to different sounds and then you play them like a keyboard. Pistons: These are knobs that can allow you to change the sounds of the instrument: like trumpets, clarinets, strings, etc. Interesting Facts about the Organ The pipes of an organ can be as small as 1 inch or as large as 64 feet. The portative organ was designed to be portable. And it includes a strap to go around the performers neck. Bach s Family His wife, Maria died in 1720. In 1721, he married Anna Magdalena Wülken and they had 13 children together. He had a total of 20 children! Domenico Scarlatti Scarlatti was born Naples, Italy in 1685. Scarlatti died in 1757. Scarlatti played the harpsichord and the organ. 3
Scarlatti s Father Scarlatti s father was credited with creating the Italian opera. o Scarlatti s father s name was Alessandro, and he taught him about music. Teatro di San Carlo: This was the opera house in Italy that many of Scarlatti s opera s were performed at. People He Met Along the Way Vivaldi: In 1705, Scarlatti s father sent him to Venice, Italy to work with Gasparini, where this famous composer also worked. Handel: While in Venice, Scarlatti met this famous composer and they became very good friends. His Jobs B 1715 A. He moved with the Princess to Spain after she married the Spanish Crown Prince. C 1720 B. He became the music director at St. Peter s in Rome. A 1729 C. He became court harpsichordist for the King of Portugal and teacher to Princess Maria Barbara in Lisbon. The Harpsichord The earliest known reference of the harpsichord was in 1397. This instrument was created after the clavichord but before the piano. Describe the sound of a harpsichord: metallic. Scarlatti introduced new technical devices for the harpsichord including crossing the hands the hands, fast repeated notes, wide leaps, etc. The strings are plucked by quills. 4
Scarlatti s Family In 1728, Scarlatti married Maria Maria Catalina Gentili. How many children did they have? 5 Antonio Vivaldi Vivaldi was born in Venice, Italy in 1678. He died in 1741. His nickname was The Red Priest for his red hair under his wig. He was a composer, a priest, and a violinist. Writing Music for Girls From 1703 to 1715 and from 1725 to 1740 he worked at the Ospedale della Pietá which was an orphanage for children. The Violin Vivaldi was known as a virtuoso on the violin. What does virtuoso mean? A person who excels in a music technique/instrument. The violin has how many strings? 4 What doesn t it have that guitars do have? Frets Concerto: A composition for orchestra with one or more solo instruments. Vivaldi Facts It was believed that Vivaldi had the medical condition asthma. At the age of 15, he began studying to become a priest. Vivaldi was invited to perform for the Pope, Benedict XIII. Vivaldi s fame did not occur until after his death. 5
George Frideric Handel Handel was born in Halle, Germany in 1685. He died in 1759. Handel was born in the same year as Scarlatti and Bach. o When you are born in the same year as other people, you are contemporaries. Handel played what instruments? organ, harpsichord, oboe and violin Handel s Childhood Who did not allow Handel to take music lessons? His Father Handel s aunt smuggled a clavichord into the attic so that Handel could practice. A Little Luck. Duke Johann Adolf of Weissenfels convinced Handel s father that Handel should have a career in music. Handel s First Love Handel s first love was opera music. His first opera was Almira performed in Hamburg in 1705. He moved to Italy to study opera with Alessandro Scarlatti. o Domenico s father Handel met Scarlatti and they performed in a competition at Cardinal Ottoboni s palace in Rome. Handel was superior on the organ and Scarlatti on the harpsichord. 6
Handel s Travels Handel gets a job working for the Elector of Hanover. But soon after, he moves to London, England to study opera. Handel returns to his job with the Elector to only ask for another leave of absence to go back to England. Does Handel return to his post with the Elector of Hanover? No Who became the King of England? Elector of Hanover Oratorio Handel began experiencing many problems with the Italian opera singers. People quit attending operas and composers were not making any money from operas. Oratorio: A musical play based on a biblical text or a scripture. o There are no props, costumes or scenery in an oratorio. o The most famous oratorio is called The Messiah written by Handel. Interesting Facts about The Messiah o The Messiah was performed in Ireland for a charity and King George II was in attendance. o He had to use the bathroom, and when the King stands up, everyone must stand. o Ever since, when The Hallelujah Chorus is performed, everyone stands. Baroque Period Practice Listening Test Directions: When you hear a song being played, look through your notes at the descriptions of the songs. You want to match the song you hear with a description that you wrote. Each song will be played twice. Please identify the song by writing the ENTIRE title and composer s name. Spelling counts! Listening 1: Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring Listening 2: Winter from The Four Seasons Listening 3: The Hallulajah Chorus from The Messiah Listening 4: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor Listening 5: Spring from The Four Seasons Listening 6: In dulci jubilo Listening 7: Sonata #30 The Cat s Fugue Listening 8: The Brandenburg Concerto Composer: Vivaldi Composer: Handel Composer: Vivaldi Composer: Scarlatti 7