BAROQUE
Pannini - Musical Feast (1747)
INTRODUCTION
Baroque is the artistic period that runs from the 17th century to the mid-18th century (from the first preserved opera in 1600 to the death of J. S. Bach in 1750). The word baroque is derived from the Portuguese word "barrueco", referring to a rough or imperfect pearl.
Music was at the services of the absolute monarchies, the aristocracy and the Church, who used it as another manifestation of their power.
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Characteristics​
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Rhythm: it was more varied and with a faster and more regular pulse.
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Melody: it was complex and elaborated, because there was a liking for details and ornamentation.
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Harmony: it was tonal. The use of tonality was established.
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Texture: accompanied melody predominated with basso continuo, which is a bass line over which chords are built up.
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Timbre: the orchestra was born.
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Dynamics: they used terraced dynamics and echoing.
- Terraced dynamics: in this era dynamics were modified by means of changes in sound masses (loud = many performers, tutti; soft = fewer performers).
- Echoing: sound effect (presentation in forte and repetition in piano). -
The expression of affections: composers tried to express states of the soul such as rage, joy, sorrow, etc.
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The use of contrasts in different elements of music (rhythm, tempo, melody, timbre, etc.).
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Composers
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ltaly: Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Frescobaldi, Corelli,
Francesca Caccini, Barbara Strozzi. -
Germany: J. S. Bach, Praetorius, Schütz, Telemann.
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England: Händel, Purcell.
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France: Lully, Charpentier, Couperin.
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Spain: Juan Hidalgo, Antonio Literes, José de Nebra,
Sebastián Durón.
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PROFANE VOCAL MUSIC
Opera was the main profane vocal form and it was written for orchestra, choir and soloists. Origin: In the early 17th century in Florence, a group of intellectuals around Count Bardi, called Camerata Fiorentina, decided to revive Greek classical theatre, which combined poetry, music and dance.
The first preserved opera is Euridice by Jacopo Peri (1600).
The first important opera is L’Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi (1607).
Fundamental parts of an opera: Choruses and ballets were included occassionally.
- Recitative: vocal opera part between spoken word and singing that facilitates the progress of the plot.
- Aria: melodic vocal opera part sung by a soloist to express emotions and demonstrate his/her skills.
- Overture: instrumental opera part that serves as introduction announcing the beginning of the opera.
- Interludes: instrumental opera parts that link the different sections together.
The castrati were famous male singers generally from the poorer classes chosen for the beauty of their voices. They were castrated before puberty to preserve their child's voices, but with all the lung capacity of an adult male. They became the first music idols in history. The most famous castrato was Farinelli, and there were other well known castrati such as Ferri, Senesino and Pacchierotti.
Monteverdi - L'Orfeo (59:53 Caronte; 1:31:00)
Händel - Rinaldo. Aria: Lascia ch'io pianga
RELIGIOUS VOCAL MUSIC
The opera decisively influenced the new religious vocal forms. They were all written for orchestra, choir and soloists, and were formed by a sequence of recitatives, arias and choruses.
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Oratorio: religious vocal form with a sacred theme, typically performed without costumes or elaborate staging. Main composer was George Friedrich Händel (Messiah).
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Passion: religious vocal form about the death of Christ, usually performed during Holy Week.
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Cantata: religious or profane vocal form that literally means "sung" in Italian.
The major passion and cantata composer was Johann Sebastian Bach.
G. F. Händel - Oratorio Messiah. "Hallelujah"
J. S. Bach - Cantata BWV 147 "Jesus bleibet meine Freude"
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Instrumental music achieved a definitive independence from vocal music, due to:
- The technical evolution of instruments, thanks to luthiers such as Stradivarius, Amati or Guarnieri.
- The birth of the Baroque orchestra, made up of bowed string instruments and other instruments that played the basso continuo such as the harpsichord. Woodwind, brass and percussion instruments were also included.
Musicians composed music specifically for instruments and the early instrumental genres emerged.
Concerto: highly elaborated instrumental form in which the musical material is passed between different instruments. It’s structured in 3 movements: fast–slow–fast. Types:
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Concerto grosso: instrumental form that is a dialogue between the full orchestra (tutti, grosso, ripieno) and a small group of instruments (concertino). The first major composer to use the term concerto grosso was Arcangelo Corelli.
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Concerto a solo: instrumental form that is a dialogue between the full orchestra and a soloist. E.g. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
Corelli - Concerto grosso op. 6 n. 3
(concertino: violin I, violin II & cello)
Vivaldi - Concerto a solo per mandolino RV. 425
(soloist: mandoline)
Suite: instrumental form containing various dances that contrast in character, rhythm and tempo. It derives from Renaissance dances. Main dances were:
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Allemande: stately German dance in 4/4 that literally means "German".
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Courante: lively French dance in 3/4.
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Sarabande: slow and stately Spanish dance in 3/4.
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Gigue: fast English dance in 6/8.
Charles Dieupart - Suite n. 6 en fa mineur 4. Sarabande
Charles Dieupart - Suite n. 6 en fa mineur 7. Gigue
Toccata: instrumental form written for a keyboard instrument featuring virtuosistic fast runs, arpeggios and fugal parts.
Fugue: instrumental polyphonic form in one movement, built on a subject or theme introduced at the beginning and constantly imitated.
J. S. Bach - Toccata & fugue BWV. 565
J. S. Bach - Little Fugue BWV. 578
Instruments
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String: violin (1), viola d’amore (2), mandolin (3), theorbo (4), harpsichord (5).
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Wind: piccolo (6), transverse flute (7), oboe (8), bassoon (9), trumpet (10), horn (11).
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Percussion: timpani (12).
LISTENING EXAMPLES
RELIGIOUS VOCAL MUSIC
Händel - "Hallelujah" (from the Messiah oratorio)
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Rhythm: quadruple time signature (4/4).
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Texture: monophonic, homophonic and polyphonic parts.
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Timbre: choir and orchestra.
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Form: chorus of oratorio, binary form (AABB).
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Vivaldi - "Spring" (from The Four Seasons)
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Rhythm: quadruple time signature (4/4).
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Texture: accompanied melody.
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Timbre: soloist violin and orchestra.
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Form: concerto a solo with ritornelli, rondo form (ABACADA...).