Late Baroque Facts
The Baroque Period spans these years
1600-1750
The leading monarch in the Age of Absolutism and his/her country
Louis XIV of France
How did science affect rhythm in the Baroque era?
It became more regular; bar lines were introduced
Baroque composers were likely to think of themselves as this
Servants with masters to satisfy. Artisans with jobs who produced music on demand to fulfill a partiular requirement
A bass part that moves in even notes, usually eighths or quarters
Walking bass
This instrument family formed the core of the Baroque orchestra
Strings
The standard texture of much Baroque instrumental music
Polyphony
Three instruments from the Baroque period that were revived in the 20th century
Harpsichord, recorder, and a high-pitched trumpet without valves
The purpose of art and music in the Age of Absolutism
to impress and overwhelm; partially to flatter the nobles who paid for it
How did science affect the display of emotions in music during the Baroque era?
Emotions were isiolated, analyzed, and scientifically categorized. Musical expression of emotion was systematized into techniques and devices.
The three institutions where Baroque composers could earn a living
The church, the court, and the opera house
Describe Baroque dynamics
Dynamics usually stayed the same throughout a section of music
The orchestra of the court of Louis XIV was called this
Twenty-Four Violins of the King
In the Baroque period, a bass line linked to a series of chords
basso continuo
The two most important composers of the Late Baroque Period
JS Bach and GF Handel
This genre served as the best musical vehicle for the ideals of Absolutism
Opera
How did science affect scales in the Baroque era?
Scales were tuned, or "tempered," allowing composers to use all 24 major and minor keys.
Organists and choirmasters would compose their own music and then perform/conduct it. Organists had to compose pieces for long sections of services, etc. Choirmasters were responsible for training the boys who sang in their choirs. Much music was required. A church musician's life was very busy!
Describe the Baroque approach to tone color
Adaptable and changeable. While many new instrumental sounds were developed and celebrated (harpsichord, organ, recorder, high trumpets, etc), many pieces were written so that instrumentation could be changed - it didn't matter what instruments played which part.
What instrument was in the basic Baroque orchestra besides violins, violas, cellos and basses?
Harpsichord or Organ
Instruments most likely to play basso continue
Bassoon/cello and harpsichord/lute/organ
The term historians might use for the Baroque Period
The Age of Absolutism
How did baroque operas pay tribute to the the glory and virtue of the nobility that paid for them?
Their stories were allegories - based on legend and historical rulers that would remind the audience that their prince was divine.
How did science affect harmony in the Baroque era?
Harmony was systematized so that chords followed one another in a logical and functional way.
Describe the life of a court musician
Composed at the whim of their patron. Could usually count on a secure existance, a steady demand for their services, and a pension. Court musicians were better able to keep up with musical trends than church musicians because they were required to travel with their employers.
Another word for improvising melodic extras in music
Ornamentation
On what occasions might a Festive Baroque Orchestra be called upon to play?
Military Victory, Christmas celebrations, Royal Weddings, etc
The numerical shorthand below the basso continuo notes indicating the content of chords to be played
Figured bass
Describe the dualism found in Baroque art and music
pomp and extravagance versus system and calculation
Who was the greatest English non-musical contributor to the 17th c golden age of theater?
William Shakespeare
Describe how science affected arts other than music during the Baroque era
Painters and other artists focused on precise depiction of detail, especially those not under the patronage of nobility
Baroque landscape design - Baroque gardens sybolized man's control over nature; geometric design, etc
Describe the life of an opera house composer
Were kept busy composing new operas for the famous singers of the day. Usually conducted their own operas from the harpsichord. Also did a lot of rewriting of older operas. It was an exciting, unpredictable life full of successes and failures.
Describe typical baroque melodies
Complex, ornate, extended, using intricate rhythms and having large pitch ranges. Sequences were used frequently to create forward motion.
What instruments were generally added to the basic Baroque orchestra to create a Festival Baroque Orchestra?
Trumpets or French horns, timpani, bassoons, oboes and/or flutes
The two reasons that musical forms in the Baroque were clearer and more regular than in previous eras
1) social factor-the patronage system: the courts and churchesdemanded a large amount of music and expected it to be produced in a hurry. Composers needed to rely on formulas that could be applied quickly and efficiently
2) scientific spirit - composers wanted to "map" music systematically in an orderly, logical, quasi-scientific way