Baroque Music and Architecture Vocabulary

Study Notes

Spanned from 1600 to 1750, characterized by dramatic expression, ornate ornamentation, and use of contrast to evoke emotion
Orchestra was born, and new musical forms like opera and concerto emerged
Harmonic system that dominates Western music today was established
Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi epitomized the Baroque style through complex counterpoint, rich harmonies, and innovative use of instruments

Originated in Florence, Italy in the late 16th century
The Camerata, a group of intellectuals, musicians, and scholars, played a crucial role in the development of early opera
First opera, "Dafne," was composed by Jacopo Peri and performed in Florence around 1597
Venice became a major hub for opera development in the 17th century
Famous opera composers include Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini

Emerged in Italy during the Renaissance period
Cremona, Italy was the center of violin making, along with other towns in northern Italy
Various towns and makers had different versions of violins, including viole da braccio and viole da gambe
The 4 standard stringed instruments and bows became standardized throughout the world in the mid-1800s
Antonio Stradivari crafted iconic violins that set the standard for perfection

Domenico Scarlatti was an Italian composer known for his keyboard sonatas
He served as a composer and musician in the courts of several nobles and royalty
Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist, and teacher
He was best known for his violin concertos, especially "The Four Seasons"

Emerged in the late 16th century and flourished in the 17th and early 18th centuries
Characterized by extravagant decoration, curves, painted ceilings, dramatic use of light, and a sense of movement and grandeur
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is a renowned example of Baroque architecture

Prior to the Renaissance, Italian medieval gardens were enclosed and devoted to growing vegetables, fruits, and medicinal herbs
Baroque gardens became outdoor extensions of the interior living spaces of a villa
They were often enormous and complex, with statuary and water features
Vatican Gardens and Isola Bella are notable examples of Baroque gardens