Baroque Time Period

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 1st 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 1st 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

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