The Baroque Period Flashcards
What does a Trio Sonata consist of?
Two soloists with continuo
What does a Solo Sonata consist of?
Soloist with continuo
How many parts does a Da Capo aria have?
3
Who is the grandfather of the modern symphony?
Archangelo Corelli
Sonata form is basically:
A B A
How do the movements is a sonata compare to each other?
The movements in a sonata contrast
Diagram Da Capo Aria
A B A’
The how is the third section (A’) in a Da Capo aria different from the first?
It is usually modified slightly and the singer uses the third section as an opportunity to show off their vocal skills and virtuosity
What is an Orchestral Concerto?
Predecessor to the symphony. Has multiple movements and the 1st violins and bass are emphasized
Which instrument groups are emphasized in an orchestral concerto?
The 1st violins and bass
What is a Concerto Grosso?
This is a form of concerto that has two or more soloists with orchestral accompaniment
What is a Solo Concerto?
A form of concerto that has a single soloist with orchestral accompaniment
Birth and death years of J.S Bach
1685-1750
What is Tragedie Lyrique?
This is French style opera. It is usually lighter themed and features divertissements, interludes of music, singing, ballet, etc.
What are divertissements?
In French opera, these are interludes of ballet, dancing, music, etc, and are only loosely tied to the plot
What is considered to be the golden age of German organ music?
1650-1750
What genre and technique reaches it’s peak in Germany through composers such as Bach and Buxtehude?
Fugue and imitative counterpoint
Italian instrumental music emphasized what instrument family?
Italian instrumental music emphasized the strings
Define ‘Sequence’
A repeating melodic pattern
Henry Purcell pioneered what genre in England?
The semi-opera which is a play with spoken dialogue but contained many musical elements such as an overture and multiple masques
What are Notes inégales?
This is a French performance practice where notes in short even durations are played as by holding one note longer at the expense of the next note. It sounds like dotted rhythms
What is overdotting?
A French performance practice that lengthens dotted notes at the expense of the next note
What are Agrements?
The French style of ornamentation; more conservative and “elegant” than the flashier Italian style of ornamentation
Define ‘Style Luthe’
“Lute” or “broken” style is a style of playing characterized by an arpeggiated texture as a lute would be played
Define ‘Walking Bass’
This is a bass line that moves steadily and continuously
What is a Masque?
A masque is an English genre of musical theatre that features music, dances, sets, costumes, choruses, and is similar to a French court ballet
How is a masque different from opera?
The music in a masque is usually composed by several people and it is not plot driven as in opera, or only has a very loose plot or theme
Define ‘Villancico’
This is a Spanish form of polyphonic song, with several stanzas framed by a refrain
Were Spanish Villancico’s used in the church or in a secular setting?
They were used in both, beginning with secular use that then spread to church use, especially for special occasions
Define ‘Zarzuela’
This is a form of Spanish musical theatre, with a light pastoral setting and alternates between spoken and sung dialogue and various types of ensemble and solo song
Birth and death dates of Antonio Vivaldi
1678-1741
What was Vivaldi’s occupation?
Priest, master of violin and master of concerts at the Pio Ospedale della Pieta
What was the Pio Ospedale della Pieta?
This was an orphange for poor or orphaned children that Vivaldi worked at between 1703-1740
Between what years did Vivaldi work at the Pio Ospedale dell Pieta?
1703-1740
What was Vivladi’s duties at the Pio Ospedale dell Pieta?
He was required to maintain the string instruments, teach the students to play, and constantly compose music for them to perform.
The largest part of Vivaldi’s catalog consists of what?
Concertos
Vivaldi established what pattern as a standard in concerto movement structure?
Fast movement - Slow movement in the same or a related key - Fast movement in the tonic, often with a shorter duration
What is Ritornello Form?
This is a set of guidelines for concertos where orchestral ritornello’s frame two episodes for the soloist
Ritornello form allowed Vivaldi to do what?
Create large amounts of music from a small amount of material
Vivaldi was the first concerto composer to do what?
Make the slow movement as important as the fast ones
Vivaldi frequently used what in his concertos?
Sequences and dramatization of chord progressions
What qualities are Vivaldi’s works known for?
Spontaneity of musical ideas, clear formal structure, assured harmonies, varied textures, forceful rhythms, and highlighting the soloist.
What qualities did composers after Vivaldi admire and emulate?
His concise themes, clear form, rhythmic drive, and logical flow of musical ideas
Vivaldi often used what to create and vary his music?
Vivaldi often used formulas
What are the birth and death dates of Henry Purcell?
1659-1695
What is Henry Purcell best remembered for?
Purcell is best remembered for his dramatic music
When was Dido and Aeneas composed and where was it first performed?
Composed in 1689, debuted at a girls boarding school
How many acts does Dido and Aeneas have?
3
What is the run time of Dido and Aeneus?
About one hour
In Dido and Aeneus, in the final Lament, what Italian tradition is seen?
A descending tetrachord pattern in the bass is an Italian influence and helps to create a sense of despair
What influences and traditions did Purcell blend in his works as seen in Dido and Aeneus?
Purcell blended practices and traditions from French and Italian opera, as well as the English masque
What is the main Italian element in Dido and Aeneus?
The presence of Arias, which were not popular in French opera or the English masque
Dido and Aeneus notably uses what to help convey the emotion in contrast with French opera?
Text painting
How did Purcell accommodate the English language in Dido and Aeneus?
He tailored the rhythms to match English accents and speech patterns such as using reverse dotted rhythmic patterns
What is Sonata da Camera?
Chamber Sonata
What is Sonata da Chiesa?
Church Sonata
What is the difference between the Sonata da Camera and the Sonata da Chiesa?
The chamber sonata is usually a series of stylized dances whereas the church sonata has more abstract movements
Birth and death dates of Arcangelo Corelli
1653-1713
What three types of music did Corelli leave behind?
Trio sonatas, solo sonatas, and concerto grosso
Corelli’s trio sonatas emphasized what over a display of virtuosity?
Corelli emphasized lyricism in his trio sonatas over virtuosic displays
Corelli’s music is ______
Corelli’s music is tonal, and was used as a basis for Ramaeu’s study of music theory
What is the movement structure of Corelli’s church trio sonatas?
Slow-Fast-Slow-Fast
Describe the movement structure of Corelli’s trio sonata’s
- The first movement is solemn
- The second movement is often fugal and acts the the center of gravity for the piece
- The third movement resembles a lyric, operatic duet
- The forth movement is dance like and usually in binary form
What were the most important roles in Corelli’s sonatas for church?
All the roles had a near equal gravity and importance in Corelli’s church trio sonatas
Which roles were most important in Corelli’s chamber sonatas?
The two soloists were given equal importance but the bass was almost pure accompaniment
Corelli’s trio sonatas are noted for what, concerning the soloists?
Corelli’s trio sonatas are notable because the two soloists are given equal importance, with parts that interweave and compliment each other
How do Corelli’s solo sonatas differ from his trio sonatas?
He often uses more more virtuosic display in his solo sonatas
What are the movements in Corelli’s sonatas based on?
They are based on a subject given at the outset of the movement which is varied and modulated, unfolding in a smooth flow of musical ideas
Why is Corelli important?
His sonatas were used as models by other composers, his influence contributed to the move to tonal music, and he was one of the first successful purely instrumental composers
Birth and death dates of Georg Frideric Handel
1685-1759
Handel mainly lived in what city?
London, England
Who were Handel’s primary patrons?
The royal court of England
Why is Handel considered to be an “international” composer?
This is because he studied the styles of, lived, and worked all over Europe. This includes Germany, Italy, and French influences as well
Why did Handel’s music age well?
Handel’s music aged well because he often focused on lyricism, harmony, and contrasting texture rather than counterpuntal procedures like Bach
Handel was a master of what?
Handel was a master of contrast
Handel often wrote music for who?
Handel often wrote music for the public, especially intended for a middle-class audience
When did Handel work in Italy?
1705-1710
Who was Handel’s patron in Italy? What were his duties there?
Handel’s Italian patron was Marquis Ruspoli. He was required to write Latin motets for church performances, and chamber cantatas for Ruspoli’s weekly music making
When did Handel work in Hanover? Who was his patron?
Handel’ worked for a patron in Hanover starting in 1710 however he spent most his time in London. His patron was the elector of Hanover
How did Handel use his Hanover position to establish himself in England?
His parton the elector of Hanover was heir to the English throne. When Queen Anne died in 1714, the elector became George I and Handel remained his patron
Handel had numerous patrons. Who were they in his earlier London days?
- The Earl of Burlington (1712)
- James Brydges (1717-1719)
- Queen Anne of England (1713-1714)
- British royal family (1710 onward)
Despite being associated with the royal family, most of Handel’s activities were for who?
The public sphere
What was Handel’s first opera and when was it written?
Almira in 1705
Almira displays what interesting German tradition to enable listeners to follow the plot?
Almira sets the arias in the normal Italian, but the recitatives are in German so that the audience can follow the plot
What piece, composed for the coronation of George II of England, has been played at every British coronation since?
Zadok the Priest by Handel of 1727
How does Handel’s Almira (1705) incorporate several national styles?
- He used French models for the overture and dance music
- He used Italian techniques and style for the Arias
- The music displays German elements in the counterpoint and orchestration
Handel’s use of doubling the voice with one or more instruments comes from where?
German musical practices
Handel’s Agrippina of 1709 shows the influence of what composer?
This opera he composed while in Venice shows Scarlatti’s influence, with long-breathed, supple, rhythmically varied melodic lines suited for the voice
Why is Handel’s opera “Rinaldo,” significant and what year was it written?
Rinaldo was written in 1711 and is significant because it was the first opera in Italian composed for London. This helped to bring on the fashionably of Italian opera in England
What was the usual theme of operas during Handel’s time
Dramatized episodes from the lives of Roman heroes, and tales of magic and adventure revolving around the crusades
What is simple recitative? When did it start to be used?
This was a style of recitative that leaned heavily toward the speech, and was accompanied only by basso ostinato. This was a style that emerged in Italy during the early 1700’s
What is accompanied recitative? When did it start to be used?
This is recitative that is accompanied by dramatic outbursts by the orchestra in order to highlight tense or dramatic moments. It is a style that emerged in Italy during the 1700’s
Who is the prima donna?
The prima donna is the soprano singing the lead female role in opera. They usually demanded the most and best arias, and composers such as Handel would write arias specifically for them in order to show off their skills
What is coloratura?
These are flashy displays of florid ornamentation, specifically in arias
True or False: Handel is known for the wide variety of arias in his operas
True
What was the Royal Academy of Music and when did it form?
The Royal Academy of Music was a joint stock company created for producing Italian opera in England, at the Kings Theatre. It lasted from 1718 to 1729
When did Handel stop writing and producing operas?
About 1741
What genre did Handel pioneer starting in the 1730’s?
The English oratorio
How are English oratorios different from Italian ones?
They were more operatic, had larger ensembles and choruses, and borrowed from various national genres such as the German passion and English masque.
The English oratorios were performed in a theatre and not intended for services
What was Handel’s first English oratorio and when was it performed?
Ester was Handel’s first English oratorio, first performed in 1732.
When was Handel’s Messiah written and what genre does it belong to?
Messiah was written in 1741 and is an English oratorio
How is the text of Handel’s Messiah unusual?
It is unusual because it does not tell a story but carries out as a series of contemplations on the christian idea of redemption
When was Handel’s Water Music written and to what Genre does it belong?
It was written in 1717 and is an Orchestral Suite. It has three suites for winds and strings
When was Handel’s Music For the Royal Fireworks written and to what genre does it belong?
It was written in 1749 and is an orchestral suite. Originally only for winds, string instruments were added to the score later
Birth and death years of Bach
1685 to 1750
When did Bach work in Arnstadt?
1703-1707 as church organist
What were Bach’s duties at Arnstadt?
In Arnstadt he was the church organist from 1703-1707
When did Bach work in Muhlhausen?
1707-1708 as church organist
What were Bach’s duties in Muhlhausen?
He was church organist from 1707-1708
When did Bach work in Weimar?
1708-1717
Who was Bach’s patron in Weimar?
The duke of Weimar
What was Bach’s first position in Weimar?
He was first the court organist from 1708-1714 before becoming concertmaster for the court
What was Bach’s second position in Weimar?
Bach’s second position was as concertmaster from 1714-1717
As a court organist and church organist, what kind of music did Bach mainly compose for?
Organ
When he became concertmaster of Weimar Bach composed organ music in addition to what?
Bach began composing cantata’s for the Weimar court chapel in addition to organ music
When did Bach work in Cothen?
1717-1723 as court music director
What was Bach’s position in Cothen?
Court music director from 1717-1723
When did Bach work in Leipzig?
1723-1750 as cantor of the St. Thomas school and the civic music director
What were Bach’s positions in Leipzig?
He was cantor of the St. Thomas school and civic music director from 1723-1750
How did Bach learn composition?
Bach learned composition by copying and arranging the music of other composers
What organist was a major influence on Bach?
Buxtehude
How did Buxtehude influence Bach?
By displaying extreme virtuosity on the organ including an extensive use of the pedals. He also was where Bach got the practice of putting preludes and fugues in pairs
What kinds of music did Bach compose as church organist for use in services?
Chorale settings, toccatas, fantasias, preludes, and fugues
What did Bach learn from Vivaldi?
To write consise themes, use a clear harmonic organization, and use ritornello form to structure the subject
Where did Bach write “The Little Organ Book?”
“The Little Organ Book” was written while Bach worked in Weimar
What kind’s of pieces does “The Little Organ book” contain and what is it’s purpose?
“The Little Organ Book” contains 45 short chorale preludes and it’s intention was to give a beginning organist an ideas of how he could develop a chorale, as well as improving his pedal technique. The settings in the work vary greatly to illustrate the possibilities.
When was The Well Tempered Clavier written?
It contains two books written in 1722 and 1740
How many pieces does The Well Tempered Clavier contain?
It contains in total 48 prelude and fugue pairs in every key
Why did Bach write The Well Tempered Clavier?
He wrote The Well Tempered Clavier to show how an instrument tuned in equal temperament could play in all 24 keys
What function do many of the preludes in The Well Tempered Clavier?
They serve as etudes as well as examples of common performance and compositional practices for keyboard
Many of Bach’s published collections were intended at least in part as what kind of work?
They were intended in part to serve a pedagogic function
When was the Goldburg Variations written?
1741
How many pieces are in the Goldburg Variations and what style is the one theme off which these are built
There are 30 variations and each is built off the same theme, a sarabande
What is the purpose of the Goldburg Variations?
They acted as pieces that stretched the boundaries of performance possibilities for keyboard and were the most technically difficult pieces written before the 19th century. The wide range of styles in the variations serve as a showcase for the music of Bach’s time
What was the purpose of The Art of Fugue?
To systematically show all styles of fugal writing
How many pieces are in The Art of Fugue and how many subjects does it contain?
The Art of Fugue contains eighteen cannons and fugues and they are all based on the same subject
What kind of pieces does Bach’s Musical Offering contain and how many subjects are seen throughout?
Musical offering contains a three and six part ricercare all based on the same subject
What are Bach’s most well known orchestral works and when were they dedicated?
The six Brandenburg concertos, dedicated in 1721
Bach was one of the first people to compose what?
The harpsichord concerto
How many cantatas did the Lutheran churches in Leipzig use in an annual cycle?
58 plus cantatas for special occasions
How many complete (surviving) cycles of cantatas did Bach create?
Three surviving complete cycles
The fugues in The Well Tempered Clavier serve as what?
Examples and a catalog of different fugal styles and techniques
What is monody?
Solo singing with instrumental accompaniment
What is monophony?
Monophony is a musical texture with one unaccompanied melody
What is polyphony?
Polyphony is a musical texture with multiple simultaneous lines of melody
What is homophony?
Musical texture where all voices move in the same rhythm
What is opera?
Opera is a form of musical theatre that consists of a libretto and music. It coveys a plot through the music, is staged, and is sung throughout
What is a libretto?
The libretto is the text of the opera
What does it mean if a work is strophic?
Strophic means the piece is a setting of poetry where each line or stanza has the same melody
What does it mean if a work is through-composed?
This means that is does not have verses or choruses that are returned to; the work is one continuous forward flowing composition
What is a madrigal?
A madrigal is a polyphonic or concerted setting of poetry in non-repetitive verse form
Define ‘Patronage’
Patronage is the system of funding for the arts where artists seek endorsements, employment and commissions from wealthy aristocrats. The aristocrats in exchange receive prestige and artwork
Define ‘Stile Antico’
Stile antico or “the old style” was the name given to music after 1600 that imitated the older counterpuntal style of Palestrina
Where was the Stile Antico commonly found?
In church music
Define ‘Stile Moderno’
This is the same as the second practice; it is the “modern” style that uses basso continuo and uses the counterpoint freely, often breaking the rules
Define ‘Stile Concitato’
This is the “excited” style used to express excitement or action. It uses rapid repetitions of the same pitch to convey tension or excitment
Define ‘Recitative’
Recitative is a section of an opera; it is style of singing that attempts to imitate speech, and often has a very free meter
Define ‘Figured Bass’
A form of improvisation, figured bass uses numbers or figures placed below the basso continuo line in order to indicate which intervals above the given note are to be played
What are the three functions of music during this period (early baroque)?
The three functions were use in court or chamber, use in the church, or used in the theatre
What are the dates of Claudio Montiverdi’s birth and death?
1567-1643
What are the most important works that Montiverdi is known for?
L’Orfeo, The Return of Ulysses, The Coronation of Poppea, the Combat of Tancred and Clorinda, and his madrigal collections
When was Cesti’s Orontea written?
1656
Why is Orontea a good example of mid 17th century Italian opera?
It seeks to entertain, has a romantic plot instead of a pastoral one, comedy, high and low characters, and simpler styles
Why was Monteverdi considered the first great master of opera?
His works drew from all styles, and refined the styles already in place. He changed styles of music as necessary in order to always keep the music in service to the plot
Where did Monteverdi work throughout his life?
He mainly worked for the court of Mantua, and the San Marco Basilica
Which famous composer worked for the Mantua court from 1590 to 1612?
Claudio Monteverdi
Which famous composer was maestro di capella at the San Marco basilica from 1612 to 1643?
Claudio Monteverdi
Who was the first to invent and develop the operatic recitative?
Jacobo Peri
When was L’Orfeo first staged?
1607
What was the first opera?
Dafne, by Jacobo Peri, and Jacobo Corsi
Dafne is a setting of what type of poem?
Pastoral poem
When was Dafne produces and where?
In 1598 at the palace of Jacobo Corsi
What opera marks the beginning of the Baroque era?
L’Eurydice by Jacobo Peri and produced by Emilio Cavalieri
When was L’Eurydice first performed?
1600
Who were the Florentine camerata?
These were a group of scholars, performers, and artist based at one of the academies in Florence, who shared an interest in recreating ancient Greek dramas
Who were the members of the Florentine camerata?
Mei, Galilei, Count Bardi, and Peri
What structure is used in Orfeo?
It has five acts, uses recitative to convey the plot, each act is structured around a recitative by Orfeo, and is responded to by madrigals and arias
Why was L’Orfeo successful?
Orfeo was successful because:
- It made use of all styles available
- More appropriately and effectively used the styles available to convey the text
- Refined techniques and genres such as recitative and aria further than it’s predecessors
- Used a wider range of instrumentation
- Employs strophic variation in order to better serve the text, and mixes styles even within a certain section, such as freely moving back and forth between a recitatative style and more aria-like singing
When did Heinrich Schutz live?
1585-1672
What are some contributions that Schutz made?
He was mainly responsible for introducing the Italian influence and second practice style to Germany, as well as his effective use of the small sacred concerto genre, his large catalog of sacred works, and helping establishing Germany as a contributor to western culture
Who did Schutz study with in Italy?
Cladio Monteverdi and Giovanni Gabrieli in Venice
Where did Schutz receive his musical education?
University of Marburg, Gabrieli and Montiverdi in Italy
Instrumental genres of the period: Solo keyboard
- Toccata (more improvised)
- Ricercare (predecessor of fugue)
- Fantasia
Instrumental genres of the period: Multiple instruments
- Sonata (melody with basso continuo; contrasting sections)
- Variations
- Dance suites
Lutheran church music of the period: characteristics of a Sacred concerto
- Small or large
- Sacred text (for major feast days and special occasions)
Lutheran church music of the period: characteristics of a Chorale
- Congregational singing
- Strophic hymn
- Chorale prelude (improvised by the organist)
Lutheran church music of the period: characteristics of a Historia
- Similar to oratorio (unstaged opera)
- Told a tale of the bible
- Biblical text not part of service
Italian vocal Chamber music of the period: characteristics of a Concertato
- Secular
- a combination of voices and instruments
- Concerted madrigals, canzonettas, recitatives, arias, etc.
Italian vocal Chamber music of the period: characteristics of Basso Ostinato
- Voice and instrument or solo instrument
- Bass pattern stays the same while melody above changes- Secular
Italian vocal Chamber music of the period: characteristics of a Cantata
- Secular or sacred
- Continuo with solo voice
- Longer text than a madrigal- Often with a quasi dramatic plot; mini opera
Catholic church music of the period: characteristics of a Sacred concerto
- Large or small
- Sacred text
Catholic church music of the period: characteristics of an Oratorio
- Unstaged opera with a biblical subject matter
- Several soloists
A sonata in the baroque is the instrumental counterpart of what genre?
The sonata is the instrumental version of the cantata
What are some characteristics of Tragedie Lyrique?
This type of French opera is usually lighter themed and features divertissements, interludes of music, singing, ballet, etc.
