Baroque Composers Definition of Baroque (adj.): When you are out of Monet.

Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750 (“The King of Counterpoint”) German family of church professionals Major appointments: court organist in Weimar Chapel master to prince of Anhalt Church canter (singer) liked to drink, laugh, and folksongs not as popular in life death marks the end of the Baroque period Famous Piece: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor is a piece of organ music composed sometime between 1703 and 1707. It is one of the most famous works in the organ repertoire, and has been used in a variety of popular media ranging from film, to video games, to rock music, and ringtones. In your notes! Write ONE phrase that will help you remember this song.

Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor Listen to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Complete the chart that you have received. Terms: Excessive: Too much, a piece that is elaborate in some way Contrast: compare or appraise in respect to differences Tension: a balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements Energy: dynamic quality

George Frideric Handel 1685-1759 (“Father of the Oratorio”) Born in Halle, Germany. His father wanted him to be a lawyer so he forbade him from having instruments at home. When he was seven he went to his dad to Weissenfels where he played the chapel organ. His playing was so impressive the duke insisted that he be allowed to study music. Handel soon became a virtuoso on the organ. By the time he was eleven he could play the harpsichord, oboe, organ, and violin (all technically difficult instruments). He had already composed six sonatas and he was the assistant organist at Halle Cathedral.

Overview: Messiah Listening Example: Hallelujah Chorus, from Messiah by Handel Messiah contains pieces for the orchestra alone (e.g. overture), for soloists -Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Bass (arias, duets), for choir (e.g. Hallelujah Chorus), and for combinations of the three. It is tradition that whenever the Hallelujah Chorus is sung the audience stands. In your notes! Write ONE phrase that will help you remember this song.

George Frideric Handel 1685-1759 (“Father of the Oratorio”) In 1702 he entered the university to study law while continuing with his organist job, he quit a year later and moved to Hamburg, Germany’s operatic center. He worked as a violinist and by 1707 he had composed his first opera. His operas brought him success in Germany, Italy and England. His operas were so loved in England that the Queen asked him to stay there. He wrote Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, for which the Queen gave him an annual salary. When King George came into power Handel composed Water Music for a festival. The King liked it so much that he gave Handel a yearly salary for the rest of his life. Handel began writing oratorios when he was 53(his later operas were not as successful as the first), he became the greatest oratorio composer ever. His most famous work is Messiah, an oratorio covering all of Jesus' life, death and Resurrection. (Must identify for your exam!) He was already a British citizen when he died and was buried in England’s most sacred place, Westminster Abbey.

Handel’s Messiah Listening Example: Hallelujah Chorus, from Messiah Messiah contains pieces for the orchestra alone (e.g. overture), for soloists -Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Bass (arias, duets), for choir (e.g. Hallelujah Chorus), and for combinations of the three. The instrumental sections include many solos for instrumentalists to show off their virtuosity. Vocal soloists are expected to use ornaments at the appropriate time and use them in a way that they represent and enhance the text (“word painting”). It is tradition that whenever the Hallelujah Chorus is sung the audience stands.

Handel’s Messiah Handel was called the “Father” of the oratorio. He was very successful writing oratorios during his lifetime and they continue to be very popular and influential today. His most famous work is Messiah; it is performed every year usually at Christmas, but the second half deals with the death and resurrection of Christ so it is often performed at Easter as well. It contains pieces for the orchestra alone (e.g. overture), for soloists -Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Bass (arias, duets), for choir (e.g. Hallelujah Chorus), and for combinations of the three. The instrumental sections include many solos for instrumentalists to show off their virtuosity. The singers are expected to use ornaments at the appropriate time and use them in a way that they represent and enhance the text. It is tradition that whenever the Hallelujah Chorus is sung the audience stands (and sings along sometimes!), some people think it is out of respect to the subject of the piece… Jesus Christ, but legend has it that it comes from King George. He supposedly started to fall asleep during the premiere (1st performance) of the piece (this oratorio IS quite long), and that he stood during this piece to help himself wake up… well, back then if the King stood, everybody stood! Basically you had to do what the king did as a show of respect. Well, choirs today love this tradition, because if they plan their program well they can end with a guaranteed standing ovation!

Antonio Vivaldi 1678-1741 (developed the Concerto) Born in Venice, Italy. He was ordained a priest and soon after began working at the Ospedale della Pietà, where he held positions for most of his life. This was an orphanage for girls where Vivaldi developed an orchestra and vocal program that became famous all over Europe. A lot of his music was premiered there to the acclaim of critics and audiences alike. He wrote in many genres including opera, oratorio, sonata, and mass pieces, but his concertos are what make him important in history. He was a virtuoso violinist and his concertos raised the standards for violin performance to a higher level. His most famous concertos are a group called The Four Seasons. Spring, Autumn, Summer, Winter

The Four Seasons is a set of four short violin concertos written around 1720. Spring, Autumn, Winter, Summer Each “season” is a three-movement work lasting about ten minutes. This music ranks among the most popular ever written. Antonio Vivaldi 1678-1741 In your notes! Write ONE phrase that will help you remember each piece.