The Baroque Era 101- This is so not the Renaissance.

1. The Baroque Era 101- This is sonot the Renaissance. An intro to the time period between1600-1750

2. Timeline of the Baroque • 1600- Jacopo Peri’s Euridice premiered in Florence • 1603- Death of Queen Elizabeth I • 1607- Jamesburg founded in North America, Monteverdi premieres L’Orfeo • 1609- Kepler says the planets move in ellipses • 1616- Shakespeare dies • 1620- The Puritans land at Plymouth Rock • 1636- Harvard founded • 1666- The Great Fire of London

3. Timeline of the Baroque • 1685- J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel born • 1687- Newton develops his laws of motion • 1692- Salem witch trials • 1707- England and Scotland merge to form The Kingdom of Great Britain • 1709- The first piano built by Cristofori • 1722- Back publishes The Well-Tempered Clavier • 1742- Handel’s Messiah premieres • 1750- Bach dies

4. Baroque Concepts • Unity of Mood- Pieces usually express one basic mood or emotion • Exception is vocal, although it remains with one mood for some time before moving on • Continuity of Rhythm- Repeated rhythm patterns used throughout the piece. The best becomes emphasized • Continuity of melody- An opening melody will be heard again in various forms. • Baroque melodies often give an impression of dynamic contrast rather than symmetry

5. Baroque Concepts • Dynamic Unity- Dynamics often remain constant throughout. Changes are sudden • Sudden dynamic changes is called using “Terraced Dynamics” • Texture- Mostly polyphonic, but not as consistent as Renaissance music • Ex.- Bach was consistently polyphonic, Handel switched between homophonic and polyphonic • Harmony- Chords became the basis for harmony. Melodies were shaped to fit chord progressions

6. The Basso Continuo • The emphasis of chords caused the bass lines to become very important • The Basso Continuo is an accompaniment part written for the bass parts • Usually played by two instruments, usually a keyboard instrument and a low melodic instrument • Consists of a melodic line and numbers, indicating the chords to be played • This means that there is no standard way to play the piece • This way of writing is called a Figured Bass.

7. The Baroque Orchestra • The orchestra started to become a standard performing group based on the strings. • Ranged from 10 to 40 players • Always has a basso continuo part (harpsichord, double bass, or bassoon) and the high strings (violins and violas) • Woodwinds and brass parts varied, as did the use of percussion • Trumpets often had to play melodies high in their range, and so became associated with royalty.

8. Baroque Forms • Forms are more varied than in previous eras. • Included: Fugue, Theme and Variations, Sonata Form, Binary and Ternary forms • Pieces often consisted of movements, which were independent sections with their own themes and a definite end. • A piece with three movements may start with a fast and energetic movement, then have a slow and dramatic movement, and then a lighter, more playful third movement.

9. Music in Baroque Society • Music usually written for specific purposes, mainly from churches and aristrocrats • Demand was always for new music. • Music was a major source of entertainment for the nobility- Courts might employ an orchestra, chapel chorus, and opera singers. • Music Directors in charge of all musical staff, as well as composing the music for all events, upkeep of the instruments, and the music library.

10. Music in Baroque Society • Most ordinary people heard music in churches • Churches employed orchestras to accompany services • Like in the courts, church musical directors had to produce all the music • Large towns might also employ musicians • Opera houses were also a source of income for some composers

11. Music Education in the Baroque • Fathers usually taught their sons to play instruments • Sometimes apprenticed to a local musician • Many composers began as choir boys in the local church • Music schools sometimes connected to orphanges • Women not allowed to be employed by the church or courts in music positions, but some still become respected composers

12. Getting a job in the Baroque • Usually had to pass an exam, perform a piece, or submit a composition • Possibly had to make a “voluntary contribution” to the town • Bach and Handel turned down the same job because one of the conditions of employment was marriage to the organist’s daughter