What do all these have in common? New Amsterdam is renamed New York Taj Mahal completed Salem Witch trials occur 1st Piano is built Fahrenheit Mercury thermometer invented Benjamin Franklin published “Poor Richard’s Almanac” They all occurred during the…
Baroque Period 1600-1750
Baroque The original meaning of “baroque” is "misshapen pearl", a strikingly fitting characterization of the architecture of this period. Later, the name came to be applied also to its music.
Characteristics of Baroque Music Unity of Mood – Same mood throughout entire piece Repeated Rhythms Repeated & Complex Melodies Terraced Dynamics – Dynamic changes are sudden like walking up steps
Key words for Baroque Music Counterpoint – music consisting of two or more melodic lines played simultaneously (“note against note”) Fugue – a polyphonic (“many-sounded”) composition based on a theme stated by one part at the beginning & imitated by other parts throughout the piece