Questions and Answers
What event in 1750 was so significant that 1750 is the end of the Baroque era?
The death of Johann Sebastian Bach
Sir Isaac Newton's discoveries occurred during the Baroque era.
True
Opera integrated which of the following arts? (Select all that apply)
What are terraced dynamics?
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Select all of the following that are ways contrast and illusion were used in Baroque music:
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Most of the music from the Baroque era that we hear on recitals and in concerts today comes from the first 50 years of the Baroque era.
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Recitative is a lyrical song in an opera.
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What instruments would most likely comprise the basso continuo?
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Very short unstaged operas that were written for instruments and one or two voices and portrayed a single scene or situation were called?
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What composition was like an oratorio but based on the story of the last days of Jesus?
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One major development in instrumental music in the Baroque era is that composers began to write for specific instruments, rather than just general instrumental music.
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What does a luthier do?
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Baroque music is rarely performed today because the instruments were so different back then.
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What is a sonata da camera?
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What is a sonata da chiesa?
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What is a concerto grosso?
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What is a solo concerto?
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The music from dance suites became so popular that it came to be performed as independent instrumental music.
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Fugues are rambling, improvisatory-sounding pieces for organ.
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Who composed Orfeo?
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Who composed Dido and Aeneas?
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Who focused on advancing the techniques of the violin?
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Who did not write any operas?
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Who composed Messiah?
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Who composed almost 600 concertos?
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Who is the composer of the oldest opera by a woman?
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What is programmatic music?
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Study Notes
The Baroque Era Overview
- The Baroque era spans from 1600 to 1750, concluding with the death of Johann Sebastian Bach.
- Ending date is significant due to Bach's influential contributions to music.
Key Historical Figures
- Sir Isaac Newton made important discoveries during the Baroque era, marking the period as a time of scientific advancement.
- Johann Sebastian Bach, a central figure in Baroque music, did not compose operas but wrote extensively in various other forms.
- George Frideric Handel is renowned for composing "Messiah," a notable oratorio.
- Antonio Vivaldi created nearly 600 concertos, illustrating the era's focus on instrumental music.
Musical Forms and Characteristics
- Opera combines music, visual art, dance, and theatre, reflecting the era's interdisciplinary nature.
- Recitative is a speech-like style of singing in opera, distinct from arias, which are lyrical songs.
- Contrasts in Baroque music include solo works (concertos) and terraced dynamics that change suddenly.
Instrumentation and Composition
- Basso continuo typically includes harpsichord and cello, providing harmonic support in Baroque compositions.
- Development of specific instrumental writing marked a significant evolution in music, as composers began to tailor pieces for unique instruments.
Types of Musical Works
- Cantatas are short, unstaged operas focused on a single scene, utilizing one or two voices with instrumental accompaniment.
- Oratorios, like passions, narrate Biblical stories; passions specifically recount the last days of Jesus.
- Sonata da camera refers to a chamber ensemble utilizing dance rhythms, whereas sonata da chiesa denotes a more serious ensemble character.
- Concerto grosso is a large work featuring a small group of soloists contrasted with the orchestra; solo concerto focuses on a single soloist.
Influence of Dance and Suites
- Dance suites gained immense popularity, evolving into independent instrumental performances, signaling a shift in concert practices during the Baroque era.
Other Important Composers
- Claudio Monteverdi is recognized for composing "Orfeo," a prominent early opera.
- Henry Purcell is noted for "Dido and Aeneas," blending poetic drama with musical texture.
- Arcangelo Corelli significantly advanced violin techniques and influenced future violin compositions.
- Francesca Caccini is acknowledged for composing the earliest opera by a woman.
Musical Concepts
- Programmatic music is designed to depict a narrative or represent a theme, integrating storytelling into the musical experience.
- Fugues, contrary to misconceptions, are structured compositions for organ, noted for their complexity rather than improvisation.
Performance Practices
- Despite the unique instruments of the Baroque era, Baroque music is still performed today, often utilizing modern instruments to recreate its distinct sound.
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Description
Explore the rich history of the Baroque era, spanning from 1600 to 1750, marked by influential figures like Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. Learn about the significant musical forms and characteristics that define this vibrant period in music and science.
