The Baroque Period
Basso Continuo
(Continuous Bass). A form of musical accompaniment played by a keyboard instrument and another bass instrument such as a cello, double bass, or bassoon.
Toccata
(From the Italian toccare "to touch"). A virtuoso piece of music typically for a keyboard or plucked string instruments, featuring fast-moving passages or sections, generally emphasizing the dexterity of the performer's fingers.
Name all of Henry Purcell's compositions.
1) Dido and Aeneas -Basso Continuo -Soprano Woman Singing Solo w/ violin background -Sad, Slow -Voice becomes frail and dying 2) Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary -Drums -Horns -Serious -Mournful -Slow (Grave)
When did the Baroque Period take place?
1600-1750
Concerto Grosso
A composition for instruments in which a solo group (concertino) and a full orchestra (repieno) play against one another.
Concerto
A composition for one solo instrument with orchestral accompaniments.
Fugue
A compositional technique using two or more voices, built on a subject or theme that is introduced at the beginning and recurs frequently throughout the composition at different pitches.
Antiphonal
A performance style in which the ensemble is divided into two or more groups, performing alternately as separate groups and in unison
What is an instrumental concerto? When did they begin to become popular?
An instrumental concerto is a musical piece featuring one instrument. They became popular during the Baroque Period. (Obviously, that's the only period we learned).
What was the art/architecture like during this time period?
Art and architecture in the world at this time was very ornate and fancy.
When was Johann Sebastian Bach alive? Where was he from? What did he do? Tell a little bit about him.
Bach was born in 1685 and died in 1750. He was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violinist, and violist. Bach came from a family of musicians (CPE Bach and JC Bach). Bach never traveled 100 miles away from his birthplace. He had 20 children with 2 different wives.
Name Bach's compositions.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major -Violins -Happy -Spring Toccata and Fugue in d minor -Organ -Classic bad guy lair music
How long (typically) did composers have to write their sheet music?
Composers often had very little time to compose, since their employers usually gave them assignments on very short notice.
What were hired composers allowed to compose?
Composers were only allowed to compose what their religious bosses or noble employers asked them to compose.
How were composers treated?
Composers were treated like servants.
What kind of music saw a rise in popularity?
Dance music saw a rise in popularity during the Baroque Period.
What instrumental music came into focus during this period?
During the Baroque Period, keyboard music for the harpsicord and organ became a focus.
When was Giovanni Gabrieli alive? Where was he from? What did he do? Tell a little bit about him.
Gabrieli was born in 1554/7 and died in 1612. He was from Italy, where he composed and played the organ. Gabrieli was one of the most influential musicians of his time. He represents the culmination of the style of the Venetian School, at the time of the shift from the Renaissance to the Baroque. -Antiphonal -Terraced Dynamics
Who wrote O Magnum Mysterium?
Giovanni Gabrieli -Very Choral -Horns -Soloist -Many Voices
When was George Frideric Handel alive? Where was he from? What did he do? Tell a little bit about him.
Handel was born in 1685 and died in 1759. He was a German-born British composer, who was famous for his opera, oratorios, anthems, and organ concertos. Handel is recognized as one of the greatest composers of all time.
Who wrote Dido and Aeneas? (Dido's Lament)
Henry Purcell
When was Henry Purcell alive? Where was he from? What did he do? Tell a little bit about him.
Henry Purcell was born in 1659 and died in 1695. He was an English composer and organist. His legacy is a uniquely English form of Baroque music, though he did incorporate French and Italian stylistic elements into his compositions. Purcell is considered one of the greatest English composers. Purcell has had a direct influence on modern day music.
Who composed the Brandenburg Concertos?
Johann Sebastian Bach
Who was the most prolific composer of the Baroque Period?
Johann Sebastian Bach (Prolific means he made a lot of music)
Who wrote L'Orfeo, and why was it important?
L'Orfeo was written by Monteverdi, and it was one of the earliest operas ever written. It is still performed regularly today. Based on Euripides and Orpheus -Happy/Festive -One Man Singing -Dancing -Lyre -String Based -Raked Stage (So audience could see things happening in the back)
Terraced Dynamics
Levels switch quickly from soft to loud.
Name Handel's compositions.
Messiah (Hallelujah) -Violin -Cheerful -Hallelujah Water Music -Upbeat -Violin -Horns (Brass, trumpet) -Oboe (Woodwind have reeds, produce wooden sound) Music for the Royal Fireworks -Drumroll (Timpony) -Purely Strings -Regal -Slow-ish -Horns neat end
When was Claudio Monteverdi alive? Where was he from? What did he do? Tell a little bit about him.
Monteverdi was born in 1567 and died in 1643. He was an Italian composer, gambist (viola da gamba), and a singer. His work was regarded as revolutionary, and and it marked the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque. Monteverdi developed two individual styles of composition. 1. The heritage of Renaissance polyphony 2. The new basso continuo technique of the Baroque Monteverdi was recognized as an innovative composer and enjoyed considerable fame in his lifetime.
How did music evolve from the Renaissance Period?
Music became more showy and complicated.
What song was A Clockwork Orange based off of, and who composed it?
Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary by Henry Purcell
What music was most common during the Baroque Period?
Music written for the voice was most commonly written during the Baroque Period.
What composition used antiphonal?
O Magnum Mysterium by Gabrieli
What kind of music did royalty/church leaders want to be written?
Royalty and church leaders hired composers to write pieces that they insisted be flashier than pieces of the past.
What was the focus of royalty/church leaders during the Baroque Period?
Royalty and church leaders were focused on being the best and brightest. They wanted to show off their finest things, including music written specifically for them.
Where did Bach perform?
St. Thomas Church, Leipzig. This was a Lutheran Church whose bell tower was destroyed in WWII.
When were tempo markings first used?
The Baroque Period
What was the most famous piece of music written in the Baroque Period?
The Brandenburg Concertos (These were not popular during Bach's time, but are now frequently performed).
Who did Bach compose the Brandenburg Concertos for?
The Brandenburg Concertos were composed in dedication to the Margrave of Brandenburg
Name Vivaldi's compositions.
The Four Seasons (His best known composition, a series of violin concertos) -Violins -Happy -Spring (Prima Vera)
Who did Purcell inspire, and what song did they write?
The Who's Pinball Wizard -Guitar -Fast Wendy Carlos A Clockwork Orange -Eerie -Synthesized -Modern Version of Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary -Slow -Solemn
Why were the Brandenburg Concertos composed?
These 6 concertos were used as a resume to the Margrave with the hopes that he would become a patron.
What were things generally like in the Baroque Period?
Things were extravagant, ornamented, fancy, and irregular.
When was Antonio Vivaldi alive? Where was he from? What did he do? Tell a little bit about him.
Vivaldi was born in 1678 and died in 1741. He was an Italian composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence was widespread across Europe. Vivaldi is known mainly for composing instrumental concertos, especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral works and over forty operas.
Who was known as "The Red Priest," and why?
Vivialdi, because of his red hair, and the fact that he was, well, a priest.
