Baroque Time Period 1600 1750 Historical Events 1607

Baroque Time Period 1600 -1750

Historical Events • 1607 –The first permanent British colony is est. at Jamestown, Virginia • 1609 – Galileo made the first observations with a telescope

Historical Events • 1619 - The 1 st African slaves are brought to British America • 1620 – Mayflower arrived in America • 1705 – Virginia Act established public education

Historical Events • 1672 – Admission charged for the 1 st time at a concert in London • 1710 – Bartolomeo Cristofori develops modern pianoforte in which hammers strike strings • 1741 – Handel completes the “Messiah”

General Facts • People were either really wealthy or really poor (no middle class) • Lifestyles became more elaborate (fancy) • Rise in drama, theater, painting, architecture, and music (entertainment)

Music Facts • Sharp dynamic contrasts • The livelihood of musicians started to come from the public • Opera was invented • Music became ornate

Music Facts • Music expressed emotion (even in church music) • Piano is invented, but does not yet become popular • Opera and other performances become accessible to the general public • Brass instruments used more often

Composers • Johann Sebastian Bach • George F. Handel • Antonio Vivaldi

J. S. Bach • composed for the church • played the organ and violin • wrote for organ and keyboards mainly • had 20 children, 5 of which became musicians • wrote Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

G. F. Handel • • played clavichord composed for the church wrote for orchestra and choir composed Messiah ( 3 sections depicting 3 sections of Jesus’ life) • composed Water Music ( written for King George I)

Antonio Vivaldi • ordained priest • wrote 40 operas and 500 concertos • played violin • wrote for strings mainly (violin solos) • wrote The Four Seasons

Instruments • Harpsichord and strings are the most popular instruments • Instrument families were combined to form small groups • Composers wrote solos for instruments • Dance music was popular

Instruments • gigue – lively tempo • waltz – slow, stately tempo • Types of keyboards – organ – harpsichord – clavichord

Styles of Music during the Baroque • • Fugue – keyboards • Chamber Music – strings mainly, small orchestra • Symphony – large orchestra • Opera – solo singers and orchestra • Oratorio – choir and orchestra, tells a sacred story

Important Vocabulary • Baroque period • Oratorio • Opera • Chorale • Concerto grosso
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