 The word 'baroque' is used to describe a particular musical style, a term originally borrowed from the style of architecture popular between 1600 and 1750. The buildings were ornate or elaborately decorated, and often flamboyant. The music of the time can be seen in this way too, that is, elaborate and heavily ornamented.
Famous examples of this
Baroque music are compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach, George
Frideric Handel, and Henry Purcell, among others. The 17th
century music is usually divided into two: the early Baroque period,
from 1600 to 1680, and the late Baroque period, 1680 to 1750.
Early Baroque Period
(1600-1680)
The early 17th
century saw the rise of Baroque 'monody' as differentiated from
'polyphony'
of the Renaissance. In monody,
the melody is given to one instrument or voice, while the basso
continuo (or
continuing bass), usually consisting of a keyboard and bass melody
instrument, acts as the accompaniment.
Late Baroque Period (1680-1750)
The key instrumental form of
the late Baroque period was the concerto
grosso. It reflected the contrast
between two groups of instruments. The two groups either alternated
with one another or play together. Famous for this music were JS Bach
and Arcangelo Corelli.
Baroque Period Employers -
Royalty or Church
Most of the music was written by
composers as ordered by their employers, almost always, by the Church
dignitaries or by royalty. Henry Purcell was composer to the King's
Band and George Frederic Handel was appointed composer to the Chapel
Royal. This meant that composers were expected to write music for
various official occasions and not just to composer when they felt
like it.
Major Composers
The major composers of this
period were Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel in
Germany (later, England); Antonio Vivaldi in Venice, Italy; and Henry
Purcell in England.
Operas and Oratorios
The greatest legacy by the
late Baroque period was the creation of operas and oratorios,
considered greatest and most magnificent is Handel's Messiah,
and J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion.
The first operas were heard in this period and later became a popular
form of public entertainment. Operas are dramas sung and acted to
orchestral accompaniment, produced with scenery and lighting on
stage, and the costumes of the characters.
Recommended Baroque
Instrumental Music:
Johann Sebastian Bach's
Toccata in D
minor for pipe organGeorge
Frideric Handel's
Music for the Royal
FireworksAntonio
Vivaldi's
Four SeasonsJohann
Pachelbel's
Canon in D
majorGeorg Philipp
Telemann's
passions Henry
Purcell's
Sonata No.9 in
F
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