1. Baroque Period 1600-1750

2. What is the Baroque period?  “Baroque” is a word used to describe a style of art from a certain period in history  This does not just mean music, but is a period of baroque architecture, literature and art.  This period was a very cultured period, with lavish arcitecture and art that displayed bright colours and elegance  As a result of the period, music reflected the mood of the times.  This was a time of musical change

3. Baroque Style  There was two contrasting groups used in Baroque music.  Composers wrote concertos. Concertos were pieces of orchestra and a solo instrument  Sometimes it contrasted a group of soloists with the rest of the orchestra- this was to get two different sounds  Baroque music was often a melody with a bass line at the bottom- for example a singer and a cello  In this period composers did not bother to write out all the chords but just showed some of the chords by figures, which left room for the musician to decide which notes to play  This was a period of creativity in music as well as discovery

4. Performing for Audiences  During this period composers and musicians did not perform just for wealthy people in their homes but began to perform in music halls.  As the traditional orchestra began to develop, musicians would put on shows, or concerts in large music halls.  Men traditionally composed and play instruments but women did join choirs  Baroque’s main objective was to hear the words clearly and understand the mood they were trying to promote  Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was one of the most famous Baroque composers and organists Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

5. Instruments  Musicians used many different types of instruments with various sounds String instruments: lute, violin, viola, cello and double bass. Brass instruments: trumpet, horn and sackbut were used. Wind instruments: recorder, flute, oboe and bassoon. Baroque keyboard music was often composed for the organ or harpsichord.