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BAROQUE MUSIC (1600-1750)

1. 1.INTRODUCTION:

   • It describes a particular musical style extended between this years, directly following the Renaissance and preceding the Classical era

2. DEFINITION:

   • It means "irregular pearl", "curve line", "ornaments" Music of this period had a lot of curves in its melody and ornaments

3. 2.CONTEXTS:

   • 2.1.HISTORICAL CONTEXT
     • Absolute monarchies dominate Europe, The power remains in the hands of the aristocracy and the church who want to show their authority in organizing big shows that music will always present. They become patrons of the best artists, who work in their larges courts and places
   • 2.2.CULTURAL CONTEXT
     • It was a brilliant period in culture, art and science. Will meet important people such as Lope de Vega, Velázquez, Galileo Galilei and Newton
     • The man bases his thinkingn on two opposite aspects, the REASON AND FEELINGS. The reason will be the way for trying to find the logic and scientific side of everything
   • 2.3.MUSICAL CONTEXT
     • In this period musicians search a way for encording of all musical parameters as a way to organize and rationalize the music

4. 3. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF BAROQUE MUSIC

   • a) For the first time in musical history, instrumental music will be equal to or even superior as vocal music
   • c) Harmonic system is used. A main lead voice and other serving as harmonic accompaniment (melody dominated homophony texture)
   • b) Strong rhythem, very marked (mechanical rythem), with strong beats and repeated thoughout all the pieces
   • d) Try to give a dramatic effect, exaggerating the expresion by these elements: Contrast between intruments sound levels, between the orchestra and the solist, contrast between the timbres of the orchestra and between the faster and slower parts
   • e) Monody - single melody with instrumental accompaniment (Accompanied monody) This technique allows them to understand the text and convey a greater expressiveness
   • f) The BASSO CONTINUO: A bass notes line without interruption from the beginning to the end of the song (such as organ, the harpsichord or harp)

5. 4. MUSICAL LIFE DURING THIS PERIOD

   • PATRONAGE
     • The support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual to another
   • Music is an art reserved for the elite. Composers and musicians are often linked to the court or noble families by patronage relationships.
   • PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS
     • Only required for social gathering of a certain size
   • COMPOSERS
     • A higher social status, they provide new works fo each concert, each party or each church service
   • CONCERT HALLS
     • Very successful in Europe and allow the expansion os music outside the noble mansions. The first public concert was in 1672.
   • VIRTUOSITY
     • Extreme instrumental professional player

6. 5. MUSICAL FORMS

   • 5.1. MAIN INSTRUMENTAL FORMS
     • FUGUE
       • Small size, mainly soloist or small ensemble, instrumental
     • SUITE
       • Small size, solo or small ensembles, instrumental
     • SONATA
       • Small size, solo or small groups, instrumental
     • CONCERTO
       • Large dimensions, orchestra, instrumental
   • 5.2. MAIN VOCAL FORMS
     • THE OPERA
       • Vocal, large dimensions, non religious, narrative where all text is sung, interpreted. It accurates stage, orchestra, choir ans soloists
       • Overture, recitatives, arias, choirs, intermediate (interludes)
     • ZARZUELA
       • Typical Spanish composition, similar to the opera
   • 5.3. RELIGIOUS VOCAL FORMS
     • ORATORIO
       • Religious vocal baroque form, large dimensions, narrative action without stage performance, it sings a religious drama about the Old or New Testament
     • CANTATA
       • The same that the oratorio, but in the cantata a story is telled and the chorus is less important
     • PASSION
       • It is made from the account of the Passion and death of Christ

7. 6. THE BAROQUE ORCHESTRA AND THE MUSIC INSTRUMENTS

   • It was small (10 to 40), it had a basso continuo and violin family strings, brass, woodwins and percussion, the tone color was subordinate to the melody, rythem or harmony
     • THE ORCHESTRA
   • INTRUMENTS
     • keyboard instruments: clavichord, organ, harpsichord; string instruments: the violin (was the most important); wind instruments: the transverse flute, horns, trumpets, trombons; percussion instruments: timpani