Baroque Midterm 2 Flashcards
V’adoro, pupille
Who: Handel
What: Da Capo Aria, from the opera seria Giulio Cesare in Egitto
Where: London
When: 1724
Why: This aria is sung by Cleopatra as she attempts to seduce Caesar. It is accompanied by both the standard pit orchestra and a concerto-like ensemble placed onstage, which adds a layer of theatricality and draws Caesar in. “V’adoro, pupille” is a da capo aria, but its significance lies in how Handel subtly subverts the static nature typically associated with the form. While most da capo arias serve as emotional illustration with little dramatic movement, this aria actively blurs the lines between aria and recitative, advancing the narrative and deepening character development. Though it maintains a ternary structure (ABA’), the use of ritornello form within the A section, and the integration of the onstage ensemble, creates a layered texture and a sense of dynamic interaction. Handel’s innovations here reflect his broader interest in using music not just to display vocal virtuosity, but to enhance theatrical storytelling.
Minuet and Trio
Who: Handel
What: ?, from Water Music, a collection of suites
Where: London
When: 1717
Why: This is a courtly dance with a minuet in triple meter and binary form, followed by a trio that provides contrast by moving to the parallel minor key, before returning to the original minuet. Stylistically, the Minuet and Trio reveals much about Baroque compositional practices. Handel’s use of sequential repetition and clear cadential points reflects the period’s emphasis on rhetorical clarity and formal balance. Additionally, the music’s diatonic harmony and predictable phrase structure make it easily digestible to listeners, serving the social function of dance while also exemplifying Baroque ideals of order and proportion. The piece’s orchestration—including strings, oboes, bassoons, horns, and continuo—further highlights the grandeur and ceremonial nature of the Water Music suites, which were composed for performance on the River Thames for King George I. The Minuet and Trio thus stands as a representative example of Baroque suite composition, blending functional dance elements with stylistic sophistication and formal clarity.
Durch Adams Fall
Who: Bach
What: ? from Orgelbuchlein
Where: during his time at Weimar
When: 1710
Why: This is based on a Lutheran chorale of the same name. These are strophic hymns, and each stanza has a barform. This specific piece demonstrates the theme of the music through vivid text painting, most obviously through the use of a chromatic descending bass line. There are also many sighing appoggiaturas and tritone intervals to reflect the mood of the piece as well. It is a powerful and sophisticated liturgical piece.
Concerto no. 2: 1st Movement
Who: Bach
What: concerto grosso, from the Brandenburg Concertos
Where:
When: 1721
Why: Features a small group of soloists, the concertino, consisting of violin, oboe, recorder, and trumpet, and they are set against a larger ensemble, the ripieno. The first movement follows a ritornello form that frames episodes of contrasting solo material. The ritornello is introduced by the full ensemble in F major and returns multiple times throughout to provide structural anchors and tonal stability. Between these returns, the soloists engage in increasingly intricate interplay, often trading motifs and imitating one another in tight counterpoint. When a new soloist begins, they are supported by the previous soloist. The overall piece travels from F major to various other keys throughout the sections of the movement by use of the circle of fifths, and eventually ends back in F to create an effective close.
Wachet Auf, Movement 1
Who: Bach
What: Cantata
Where:
When: 1731
Why:
Lo Conosco
Who: Pergolesi
What: Ensemble duet from La Serva Padrona
Where:
When: 1733
Why:
Che Faro Senza Euridice
Who: Gluck
What: Aria from Orfeo ed Euridice
Where:
When: 1762
Why:
Symphony no. 3, 1st mvt.
Who: Sammartini
What:
Where:
When: 1740
Why:
Symphony in E-flat Major, 1st mvt.
Who: Stamitz
What:
Where:
When: 1755
Why:
Sonata in D Major, K. 119
Who: Scarlatti
What:
Where:
When:
Why:
Sonata in A Major, 2nd mvt.
Who: CPE Bach
What:
Where:
When:
Why:
