Baroque Period -

General Considerations
The purpose of the Baroque period is  to create works of art that are theatrical and grandiose with elaborate and magnificent designs. During this period of history, people were colonizing different continents. In Europe there were religious and political wars known as the “Thirty Years’ War”. In France Louis XIV was ruling from his lavish Palace at Versailles. Science was making big advances with people such Newton and Galileo.
Instruments
With some few exceptions the instruments used during the Baroque were the same as those used during the Renaissance.
The Harpsichord was the main keyboard instrument and the sound was created by a series of quills plucking strings. Other keyboard instruments would be the chamber organ and the clavichord. In the late Baroque the violin was added to the orchestra and music was developed for them, especially by the Italians. Wind instruments included the oboe, bassoon and transverse flute. All of these instruments were played without any keys. Brass instruments included the Trumpet and the Sackbut. The Lute was not as often used in Baroque music but would be found mainly in Germany and France. In Italy the popular music began to be played on the guitar.

Composers

Johann Sebastian Bach, (1685-1750)
Who wrote church and instrumental music. Mainly music for the Harpsichord  

George Friedrich Handel, (1685-1759)
Who wrote opera and oratorio works  
Sing unto God /   Hallelujah Chorus      

Henry Purcell, (1659-1695)
Who wrote dramatic and instrumental works and also many sacred works for the Chapel Royal in Westminster.  Anthem

Antonio Vivaldi, (1680-1743)
Who wrote chamber and concert music for strings

Musical Features

  • The Bass part is prominent.
  • Continuo bass part played on the Harpsichord and cello in unison
  • Imitation
  • Terrace Dynamics
  • Ornamentation of melodic lines
  • Polyphony – Many musical ideas played at the same time
  • The beginning of Major and Minor Tonality
  • Large Scale dramatic productions of spectacular music such as Opera and Oratorio
  • Instrumental music becomes as important as vocal music.
  • New forms (structure) of music such as Dance suites, Fugue and Concerto Grosso
  • Virtuoso (complicated) instrumental works
  • Groups of instruments such as orchestras becoming standardised

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