1. Authentic Performance Practices of Baroque Music Dena M. Andrews

2. What was the Baroque? The Baroque Period began in 1600 with the first opera and led up to 1750 with the death of J.S. Bach Absolutism and Science, Great Thinkers Baroque = Misshapen Pearl Major Composers: Monteverdi, Purcell, Bach, Handel

3. Philosophy of Baroque Music A belief in music as a potent tool of communication Emotion drawn from the listeners Monteverdi coined the term “1st and 2nd Practice” The 2nd communicative practice dominated the era

4. Elements of Baroque Music Religious dictation of music genre and style: Ex. Bach/Cantatas Contrasting Dramatic Elements Melody & Harmony “Age of the Thorough Bass” Basso Continuo Developmental Themes and Ideas // Counterpoint Instrumental Temperament

5. Pitch & Phythagoras Tuning1939: 440 Hz 1893: 435 Hz Mean-Tone vs. Well-Tempered Form: Sonata, Cantata, Opera, Oratorio, Concerto, Suite Authentic vs. Traditional Performance The Sound of Baroque Music

6. Discrepancies of Baroque Performance Timbre, Tempi & Balance Mendelssohn began “Early Music Revival” with first performance of Bach St. Matthew Passion with choir of 300-400 Bach Entwurff Historical context vs. Excitement of Listeners Recording and Balance engineers

7. Tempi Fast tempo vs. Slow tempo & the church Articulation of short notes and clarity Relative tempi within concerto sections “Slow movements shall never drag, and fast movements shall never express haste” Unsteady tempi and the role of the conductor

8. Timbre The debate about straight tone singing The German harpsichord The German violin bow Period Instruments Balance of orchestra and choir

9. Balance Full Organ vs Portative Orchestral balance The role of the Harpsichord Choral and Orchestral Balance

10. Bach’s Vocal Scoring Bach’s letter to Leipzig in 1730 (Entwurff) 3-4 Voices per part Large rehearsal choir in case of sickness St. Matthew Passion debate Historical Experience

11. Video/Performances http://www.baroquecds.com/18Concerto6a.mp3 http://www.baroquemusic.org/7334SDG1Can29.mp3 Funfgeld vs. Parrott