Baroque

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Baroque Music Overview

Step 1

  • Listen to the 3 examples below to answer the following questions

  • Share your overall impression of the music of the Baroque Period

  • How does this music sound similar to the music of the Renaissance?

  • How does this music sound different from the music of the Renaissance?

So far, it seems that Baroque music took the ideas set forth by Renaissance composers and musicians and added more emotion and drama (as I read about, but now I can hear it too). There is also more complexity in Baroque music than there seemed to be in Renaissance music. The music kind of ran wild, but also has a richer (and darker) quality to it than what I have heard thus far. For some reason I am associating Baroque music with having more weight to it; Renaissance music seems very light to me, while Baroque music seems to have more meat to it. 

A. Canadian Brass

B.  Dido and Aneas

C.  Scarlotti Harpsichord

 

Step 2

  • Describe the mood of the music represented here in Monteverdi's opera Orfeo

It seems largely celebratory, the music becomes less exuberant when the vocals begin, but it does not lose the tone that it had before; becoming a muted version of what it was at the beginning. (Also, we should have billowy robes for our performances, just saying). 

 

Step 3

  • Describe the pitch geography and pattern of the bass line heard here in Pachelbel's Canon

Up down, up down, up down, up up. Also, (I looked up the sheet music sorry) it goes down by a fourth each time, then up by the same fourth on the third iteration, then up by a second.  

 

Step 4

  • Why do you think this Trumpet Tune by Purcell  is used for so many wedding ceremonies?

It has a very happy mood and celebratory tone. Also, the organ behind the trumpet makes it seem more ecclesiastical, so it could easily be played in a church (where many weddings are). In addition, it feels like a march and is fairly short, so it could be used for walking down the aisle. 

 

Step 5

The accidentals make it sound darker and more dissonant, the use of minimal accompanying instruments adds to the sorrow of the piece as a whole. The use of lower pitched instruments also helps lower the mood into something dark and sad. The text itself also has a lot of power in making the piece a sorrowful and dark lament. 

 

Step 6

  • Describe the texture(monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic) of this Old 100th Hymn from the Bay Psalm Book

It starts as homophonic, with the organ playing chords to accompany the vocals. It switches to a polyphony when the choir itself sings; a clear higher part is heard over the melody. 

Period Research

Step 1

  • Gather resources of your own choosing to answer the following questions

1.  Provide approximate dates for the Baroque Period punctuated with notable world/historical events

The Baroque period is defined as the years between 1600 and 1750. The Dutch East India company was founded, Queen Elizabeth I died, The Thirty Years War, and the death of Galileo. The colonization of America occured in this period, as well as the Salem Witch Trials. 

2.  Define the term 'Baroque' and how this relates to the characteristics of music and art from this period

The word "Baroque" comes from the Portuguese word "barroco," which meant "a pearl of irregular shape" and references all things strange and bizarre. It also was used as a reference to detailed and elaborate artwork. This was very representative of the period, as music and art were far freer and took more creative liberties than they ever had before. 

3.  List the Instruments for each family that comprise a Baroque Period Orchestra

A.  String

Violins, Violas, Cellos and Double Basses (and technically organs and harpsichords although they were part of the continuo)

B.  Brass

Trumpets and/or horns (without valves)

C.  Woodwind

Recorders or wooden flutes, oboes and bassoons 

D.  Percussion

Timpani (kettledrums)

4.  Provide a bit of trivia regarding 

A.  Brass Valves vs. No Brass Valves in this Time Period

Valved trumpets did not exist in the Baroque period; they were twisted, kind of like a bugle. The Baroque trumpet played in two registers, the "Principale" (lower), and the "Clarino" (higher). The Clarino register was far more difficult to play than the Principale; its difficulty was part of the reason that Baroque trumpets went out of style. 

B.  Baroque Trills and Ornamentation

 Ornaments and trills were added notes that acted as flourishes to an overall piece of music. They were not vital to the piece in that the melody would still be intact without them, but they added a more complex, stylised sound to the music of the time. Ornaments and trills were also used so that the performer could express the tone of the piece more than they would ordinarily be able to with just the straight melody. 

I'll be Bach

Step 1

  • Describe the instrument timbres used in Alla Hornpipe from Handel's Water Music

Deep and warm. The brass is bright without being tinny and the strings and woodwinds have the same effect without being screechy. This piece is very famous, for good reason, and timbre of the instruments used gives it its iconic, celebratory sound. 

 

Step 2

  • Comment on the musical relationship between the soloists and orchestra in Winter from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi

 (Allegro non molto) It starts off as more of a call and response, but the soloists and orchestra blend and separate back and forth as the song goes on. (Largo) The orchestra really do act as ornamentation for the soloist, but blend seamlessly and are less of a call and response. (Allegro) When this section starts the orchestra is broken down to a drone and then built up, basing their intensity off of the soloist. This kind of thing happens throughout the whole piece, with the soloist acting almost as a conductor for the orchestra. 

Step 3

  • Describe the types of orchestral instruments heard in Presto III from Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4

Harpsichord, violin, cello, recorder?, and possibly a flute. There is probably a viola in there somewhere, but I don't recognize its sound well enough to separate it from a violin. There could also be a double bass, but I am not positive as it could just be the low notes on a cello that I am hearing. 

 

Step 4

 The bright, staccato sounds coming from the brass and woodwinds combined with the drums creates a song that emulates the excitement associated with fireworks. The strings add body to the overall sound, but they were definitely not the focal point of the piece.  

Step 5

I think it would be suited for any occasion of celebration, but especially in a religious context because of the text. 

 

Step 6

  • How many times is the "A" theme heard in this Rondo from Vivaldi's Four Seasons?

(Hint: The A Theme is represented in the first 13 measures)

The "A" theme is heard seven times. 

 

Step 7

  • How many times is the subject heard in this Little Fugue in G minor by Bach?

(Hint: See Bach Fugue Subject  & Hear Bach Fugue Subject)

The subject is heard nine times in Little Fugue.

 

 

Step 8

  • Are the phrases in Autumn from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi mostly symmetrical or asymmetrical?

The phrases are mostly symmetrical. 

(Hint: Use this Listening Calendar and Flowchart as a Guide)

Honors

  • Provide a brief narrative about the Pipe Organ 

  1. History

The earliest records of the pipe organ date back to Greece in the 3rd century B.C. Water pressure was originally used to make it work, but was slowly replaced with air bellows. They slowly evolved during the medieval period and grew in complexity (and size) into the the baroque period. What was especially apparent of organs in the Baroque period was how differently they sounded based on how they were constructed, i.e. a German organ would sound different than a French one. Organ builders also made special stops that allowed the instrument to imitate other instruments, such as the krumhorn.  The Baroque period is thought of as the "golden age" of organ building, as nearly every important piece of refinement was brought to a high level of artistry. 

  1. Makers

The most famous organ builders were all from northern Europe: Arp Schnitger built the great organ of St. Jacobi in Hamburg in 1693, and Zacharias Hildebrandt and Gottfried Silbermann from Saxony. Silbermann organs were considered masterpieces. 

  1. Special Instrument Features/How it Works

  2. Notable Performers

Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Johann Pachelbel, and many more.  

  1. Notable Compositions

Six Trio Sonatas (BWV 525–530),

Preludes and Fugues (BWV 531–551),

Toccatas and Fugues (BWV 564–566),

Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book) (BWV 599–644),

18 Chorale Preludes (the Leipzig Chorales) (BWV 651–668),

Clavier-Übung III. Prelude in E-flat major (BWV 552/I),

Pastorale (BWV 590),

Passacaglia and Fugue (BWV 582)

A.  Toccata and Fugue in d minor by J.S. Bach