Baroque era (1600-1750)

Baroque Era What does Baroque mean? This word comes from the Italian word, barocco. This word, relating to art, music, and culture, was used in the 17th and 18th century as derogatory term to describe anything overdone, over decorated, excessive, or grotesque. Strong connection to the Catholic Church Art work was beautiful and elaborate. Architecture was embellished and the furniture was full of intricate design. The music was full of structure, ornamented, full of polyphony, and rhythm. Derogatory: insulting The ever decreasing power of the Church gave rise to the absolute monarchs, kings and aristocrats who sought to celebrate themselves in opulent, extravagant art, architecture and music. This was at the same time the Age of Science. The scientific climate of the time led to a new emphasis on logic and control. Newton developed the theory of gravity, Galileo developed the telescope, functional harmony came into being, the tempered tuning system became standard, and major and minor scales replaced the old church modes in importance.

Musical Forms Fugue Chaconne Passacaglia Concerto Concerto Grosso Dance Suite Ground Bass (basso continuo)

Fugue A composition of two or more voices built upon a subject introduced at the beginning in imitation and repeated throughout the composition. There are different parts of a fugue: subject, answer, countersubject, expositions, developments, and coda. Imitation: repetition at different pitches Subject: theme or melody Answer: subject imitation Countersubject: figure that sometimes recurs immediately following the subject or answer (in the same voice) Exposition: Portion(s) of the fugue consisting of subject(s) with at least one answer, and possibly countersubject(s) Developments: motives become sequential, contrary motion, and/or pedal Coda: ending; conclusion to the fugue

Chaconne and Passacaglia A chaconne is a composition in a series of varying sections in slow triple time, typically over a short repeated bass theme. A passacaglia is similar to a chaconne except that the repeated theme is in different voices not just the bass line.

Concerto and Concerto Grosso Concerto: a musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra The solo instrument is in competition with the orchestra. Concerto Grosso: a group of soloists playing with or against an orchestra The main theme of a Concerto Grosso is called a "ritornello." A ritornello form movement is based on a periodic return of a central ritornello theme.

Dance Suite A collection of dance inspired movements. Each movement is named according to the type of dance and each movement intends to capture the feeling and spirit of each of the court dances. Suite means to follow as one movement follows another in a dance suite. Similar to use of the word a “suite of rooms” each connected to each other.

Dance Suite The common movements and their most frequent order are: Prelude – an introduction to the collection of dances usually freer and less steady in its rhythmic design. It is the only non-dance movement of the set. The prelude prepares the listener for what is going to follow and is often in the form of a free improvisation. Allemande – a graceful moderate tempo, duple meter court dance. In Italy and parts of France the allemande uses many rapid notes suggesting flowing movements in which dance partners always keep both hands joined. Other French type allemandes contain short dotted figures which create a music jerk or stutter suggesting regal ness or nobility. Courante – French for “running” the courante suggests dancers running or jumping while they dance. The courante is a triple meter dance and the tempo is fast. When dancers weren’t running in the courante they were gliding along the dance floor while making gallant gestures. Sarabande – a slow, elegant, triple meter dance. Usually the most expressive musical movement of the suite. The Sarabande had sensual movements and has a physical and consequently a musical emphasis on the second count of the triple meter.

Dance Suite Bourree, Gavotte or Minuet: Bourree – a lively dance in duple meter. The bourree begins with an upbeat and is usually strong and rhythmic because the early bourree’s had dancers dance in wooden shoes which added additional clatter to the music. Gavotte – named after peasants from southern France (gavots) the gavotte is an energetic dance with lots of leaping. Because of the sentimental nature of the courtly dance, the music for the gavotte is often tuneful and the most musically accessible of all the movements. Minuet – the most beloved dance of Louis the XIV. The minuet is a graceful couples dance in triple meter and may be the predecessor to the modern day waltz. In the dance of the minuet the man pays homage to his partner by deeply bowing. Then the male dancer guides the female through intricate gliding and bending motions. Hand in hand both dancers perform dainty retreats and approaches. The word ”minuet” means small and is taken from the minute motions of the dance. Gigue – The fastest movement of the dance suite and the most vigorous. Most gigues have a galloping type of rhythm and the meter is usually in compound (a combination of duple and triple). The compound meter is most noticeable in the frequent use of running triplets. The gigue appears as the last movement of the dance and it is typical to hear imitation in the voices which is unusual for a dance movement. The driving rhythm of the gigue is an exciting way to end the series of dance movements.

Ground Bass (Basso Continuo) Ground Bass: a motive, phrase, or theme in the bass repeated again and again as the basis for a composition A basso continuo is when a bass instrument that very often plays this bass line which is reinforced with "continuous" chords or connecting harmonies played by a harpsichord.

Baroque Orchestras The instruments in a basic baroque orchestra are: violins, violas, cellos, and bass viol (same as the cello pitched an octave lower.) Sometimes a harpsichord was added. The instruments in a festive baroque orchestra is like the basic baroque orchestra with exception of 2 oboes, 3 trumpets, 2 timpani (kettledrums).