The Baroque Era Flashcards
Name a composer from the Baroque era.
These are some of the well-known composers from the Baroque era:
- Bach
- Vivaldi
- Monteverdi
- Handel
- Purcell
What is a continuo?
The Baroque orchestra would often have a continuo section (cello, lute and either harpsichord or organ). The cello would play the bass line while the chordal instrument (harpsichord or organ) would play the chords to fill in the texture.
What is a concerto?
A concerto is a musical composition generally composed of three movements (1. fast 2. slow 3. fast), in which, usually, one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.
What does the term ‘virtuosic’ mean?
A soloist would show off their playing capabilities. This is called virtuosity.
When was the Baroque era?
The Baroque era was between 1600-1750.
Describe a typical Baroque orchestra; what sorts of instruments would you expect to find?
The orchestra was relatively small in the Baroque era, and at first, depended on the performers at the disposal of the composer. A typical Baroque orchestra would have consisted of:
Strings: violins, violas two or three players per section.
Woodwind: recorders or wooden flutes, oboes and bassoon.
Brass: sometimes trumpets and horns (none with valves).
Timpani: two drums, tuned to the tonic and the dominant of the relevant key.
A continuo: consisiting of a harpsichord, double bass or cello.
The instruments most likely to have been soloists in concertos were violin, cello, harpsichord and the recorder.
Describe which textures would typically be found in Baroque music?
The textures often used in Baroque music were:
Contrapuntal (Polyphonic) - with lots of melodic layers playing simultaneously. Lots of sequences to develop melody.
Homphonic - all parts moving together at the same time (like chords).
What sort of ornamentation could be found in Baroque music?
Ornamentation is musical decoration. You would find decorative devices such as:
Trills - rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, usually a semitone or tone apart.
Mordents - an ornament indicating that the note is to be played with a single rapid alternation with the note above or below. Like trills, they can be chromatically modified by a small flat, sharp or natural accidental.
Glissandos - a glide from one pitch to another.
Describe what the term ‘terraced’ dynamics mean.
Terraced dynamics; the whole ensemble will change volume suddenly. There are rarely any crescendos or diminuendos. Every part has the same dynamic.
What does the term ‘diatonic harmony’ mean?
Diatonic harmony:
Notes belonging to the key. Mostly primary chords (I, IV, V). For example, if you were playing in c major, you would only use notes from the C major scale.
