baroque conerto grosso Flashcards
what do all baroque concerto grossos have?
a continuo part - an accompaniment which fills the harmonies and texture played by the harpsichord or organ. they play the chordal harmony from figured bass notations, with the cello or basson doubling the bass line
what is the tonality like?
diatonic and clearly in minor or major
what is the tempo like?
follows the same pattern of the movements - fast, slow, fast
what was added to the slower, second movement?
dotted rhythms
what is the texture like?
polyphonic or contrapuntal - complex and interweaving of parts through some homophonic melody and accompaniment sections for musical contrast
what were the dynamics like?
terraced dynamics - the orchestra work to suddenly change the volume
there was no gradual changes
what was the melody ‘decorated’ with?
ornaments - trills, turns etc. These make the melody feel ‘busy’
what was the melody like?
long and flowing
use sequences and imitation
what were the soloists like?
the work of baroque concerto grosso is for two or more soloists. the soloists (concertino) played difficult and demanding parts
what did the soloists sometimes play along side the accompanying orchestra?
tutti sections
where was baroque concerto grosso music performed?
churches, opera houses or small rooms or courts of wealthy people
name two composers from the baroque concerto grosso
handel and vivaldi
what were the two parts of the orchestra called?
Ripieno - the main orchestra who provided the accompaiment and played less demanding parts
concertino - soloists or solo section
how many people typically play in the orchestra?
10-30 people
what was the largest section of the orhchestra?
strings
