Baroque Music Flashcards
Baroque
barraco -misshapen pearl
Late (1690-1750)
-polyphony favored
-instruments=vocal music
harmony is important
Working
courts
churches
towns
commercial opera house
Music Director
- compose music
- responsible for discipline/training
- upkeep
- high pay & prestige
Court Musicians
music is main source of diversion in aristocracy
80+ musicians
servants
Church Musicians
very grand
ordinary citizens heard music at church
cities wanted best musicians
Large Towns
play in churches
processions
concerts
university graduations
Opera Houses
Italy-opera capital
Handel=1st freelance musician
Characteristics
Unity of Mood Rhythm Melody Dynamics Texture Words and Music
basso continuo
accompaniment in which bass is played on keyboard and another instrument
figured bass
notation that includes bass line written out with figures indicating harmonies on top
Movements
each movement has
- own themes
- comes to a clear end
- pause
- contrasts
Concerto Grosso
group of soloists vs large group
Tutti
Ritornello
tutti plays refrain alternating with solos
solos offer fresh ideas
The Fugue
polyphonic compositions based on 1 theme
theme-subject
after voice presents subject, free to go on own way
Countersubject
secondary theme
Episode
transitional section with new material
Stretto
another voice coming in with subject before 1st voice done
Pedal Point
single tone held out in 1 voice (bass)
Inversion
turn theme upside down
Retrograde
begin with last note (go backwards)
Augmentation
play longer values
Diminuation
shorten values
