THE BAROQUE PERIOD 1600 1750 AD THE BAROQUE

THE BAROQUE PERIOD 1600 -1750 AD

THE BAROQUE PERIOD Important developments were underway: �The 13 American colonies were formed �Galileo was discovering new ways to explain the universe �Fancy decorations and ornaments were fashionable in music, art, and architecture �Men AND women wore wigs and lace

BAROQUE MUSIC Johann Sebastian Bach was the most famous composer of the period Music became very complex � Composers in music Bach used “decorations” and “ornaments” composed very complex polyphonic pieces of music �Elaborate melodies layered on top of one another �Used trills and fast-moving notes to “decorate” the music and let the performer show off

BAROQUE MUSIC Chords, or stacks of notes played at the same time, were used to accompany melodies Composers began to write dynamics and tempo markings into music Making up music on the spot, or improvisation, became popular even in church Composers began using Major and minor tonalities

THE PATRONAGE SYSTEM

THE PATRONAGE SYSTEM Throughout history, composers were employed by the church and/or the wealthy ruling class �Also called “patrons” This was known as the Patronage System Usually one wealthy person paid a composer for each work and decided what kinds of pieces he should write �This limited the creative freedom of the composers

VOCAL MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD

OPERA The Baroque Period saw the birth of a new form of vocal music called opera Opera combines music, acting, scenery, costumes, and props Actors and actresses sing the script, or libretto Range from serious to comical The very first opera was Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Instrumental music became just as important as vocal music during the Baroque Period Rise in music for flute, oboe, bassoon, trombone, harpsichord, and organ Recorders became less popular and viols were replaced by violins, violas, and cellos

CONCERTO GROSSO Music for instruments Contained several contrasting sections, or movements �Usually Written fast-slow-fast for a group of solo instruments and a small orchestra Important composers were Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Pachelbel, George Frederic Handel, and Johann Sebastian Bach

MUSIC FOR ORGAN The primary church instrument was the organ �Could play by itself or accompanied the choir �Helped keep the singers in tune Organists regularly improvised music because organs had multiple keyboards

ANTONIO VIVALDI 1678 -1741

ANTONIO VIVALDI Born in Venice, Italy Father was a barber and part-time violinist employed by the basilica of St. Mark Was a violin virtuoso at an early age Became a priest in 1703 Wrote 50 operas Rumored to have red hair Died poor and relatively unknown

ANTONIO VIVALDI Was also a music teacher at a girls’ orphanage Women were forbidden to perform in public, so his orchestra of girls performed behind a grill Composed The Four Seasons �Music written to depict the four seasons of the year

JOHANN PACHELBEL 1653 -1706

JOHANN PACHELBEL Wrote many vocal and instrumental pieces Born in Nuremberg, Germany and was a friend of the Bach family Composed Pachelbel’s Canon, the most famous piece of music of the Baroque Period

SAMPLE OF PACHELBEL’S CANON

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH 1685 -1750

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Came from a long line of musicians from Germany Became an organ virtuoso by the age of 15 and composed for the instrument Was a Lutheran and employed by the Lutheran church Loved to use symbolism in his music Was a superb teacher

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Wrote music for instruments and vocalists Baroque Period ended with Bach’s death Had over 20 children!

COMPARE/CONTRAST Medieval Baroque Renaissance