Baroque Era

Question 1

dates of Baroque Era

Answer 1

ca. 1600 - ca. 1750

1600 coincides w/birth of opera

1750 = death of J. S. Bach

Question 2

elements of Baroque style

Answer 2

• basso continuo
• major-minor tonal system
• polyphonic texture
• idiomatic writing
• improvisation
• virtuosity
• ornamentation
• terraced dynamic
• motor (driving) rhythm
• dance rhythms
• the Affections

Question 3

Antonio Vivaldi

Answer 3

1678-1741

Italian

“il prete rosso” (the red priest)

considered himself a composer of opera
today: famous for contributions to Baroque concerto repertoire

Question 4

Vivaldi’s Musical Style and Contributions

Answer 4

development of 3-mvmt concerto structure

leader in establishing ritornello form

developed idiomatic writing for strings

exploited string virtuosity through technically demanding writing, including rapid passagework, string crossings, arpeggio figuration, double stops

incorporated programmatic writing, descriptive titles

frequent use of sequences

"The Four Seasons"
500+ concertos
"Orlando Furioso" & "Griselda" (operas, 40+)
"Judith Triumphans" (oratorio)
"Agitata da due venti" from "Griselda"

Question 5

Johann Sebastian Bach

Answer 5

1685-1750

born in Eisenach, Germany

trained by father, then oldest brother Johann Crhistoph

trained in instrument building and repair

Cantata No. 140 “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”, BWV 140
“Brandenburg Concerto(s)”

Question 6

J. S. Bach - Arnstadt, Muhlhausen

Answer 6

1703-1708

various positions

went to visit Buxtehude

married Maria Barbara

two sons CPE & WF

Question 7

J. S. Bach - Weimar

Answer 7

1708-1717

court organist & chamber musician to Wilhelm Ernst, Duke

increasing fame as organist

wrote “Orgelbuchlein” (chorale preludes)

composed music for Lutheran services

Question 8

J. S. Bach - Cothen

Answer 8

1717-1723

Kapellmeister to Prince Leopold

many solo, chamber works composed, incl. WTC vol. 1

wife died; married Anna Magdalena Wilcke (court singer)

sons Johann Christian & Johann Christoph

Question 9

J. S. Bach - Leipzig

Answer 9

1723-1750

Cantor of St. Thomas School

director of Collegium Music (performing ensemble of university students)

wrote “Goldberg Variations”, “Art of Fugue”, “The Musical Offering” (theme provided by Frederick the Great

Question 10

Bach’s Musical Style and Contributions

Answer 10

personal style synthesized leading musical developments of the era

composed works in virtually every genre except opera

master of contrapuntal art

absorbed influences of international styles - German (chorale, counterpoint); French (dance rhythms, ornamentation); Italian (operatic lyricism, ritornello form, idiomatic string writing)

perfect existing forms rather than defining new ones

“Brandenburg Concertos”
Notebooks for Anna Magdalena and Wilhelm Friedemann
St. Matthew/John Passions
Mass in B Minor

Question 11

George Frideric Handel

Answer 11

1685-1759

born in Halle, Germany

studied law at Univ of Halle

after father died, pursued music professionally

absorbed aspects of Italian musical style & language

visited major cities

patrons: Queen Anne; King George I; Earl of Burlington; Duke of Chandos

cofounded The Royal Academy of Music

interred at Westminster Abbey

“Water Music”, “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (orchestral)
“Rinaldo”, “Guilio Cesare”, “Serse”, “Orlando” (operas)
“Messiah”, “Judas Maccabeus”, “Israel in Egypt” (oratorios)
“Ode for Saint Cecilia”, Te Deum (sacred vocal)

Question 12

Handel’s Musical Style and Contributions

Answer 12

cosmopolitan style; absorbed international currents of the day: German counterpoint, Italian opera, French overture, English choral style

alternation of homorhythmic passages w/contrapuntal textures

use of very basic musical elements (chordal passages, scale figures)

sense of pageantry & dramatic theatrical style through grandiose gestures, bold contrasts of dynamics

effective use of word painting

extended sequential writing