Baroque Music (1600-1750)
To put it simply, baroque means "elaborated". The word fits-everything was grand and overly done during the Baroque era, from architecture to art and music. The development of counterpoint, in which different melodic lines were blended into a composition, was a new style used in many pieces. Composers in the Baroque era had to write their music a certain way, an unusual enforcement. The baroque era saw many musical accomplishments, such as the sonata, suite, and concerto grosso. Most Baroque pieces uses continuo, or an accompanying part.
Instruments: Many new instruments were invented during the Baroque period, including the violin, viola, cello, double bass, trumpet, horn, suckbut, recorder, flute, oboe, bassoon, and especially the harpsichord.
Notable Composers:
Johann Sebastian Bach- Bach is often referred to as the father figure of all music, and indeed, Bach was truly a musical master. Bach was an excellent keyboard and organ player, and an excellent composer all around, composing for almost any instrument in any popular baroque style. Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenhach, Germany and died on July 28th, 1750 in Leipzig. Bach had many sons, most becoming composers. Some of Bach's most notable works include Air on the G, Double Violin Concerto, The Well-Tempered Clavier, St. Matthew Passion, and much more.
George Frideric Handel- Yet another notable composer during the baroque era and in all of music history, Handel was born in 1685 in Halle, Germany. Handel eventually moved to England and became a citizen there. Handel is famous for his oratorios, operas, organ concertos, and, like Bach, wrote all different styles of music. Handel died on April 14, 1759, in London. Among his famous works is the oratorio The Messiah, Music for the Royal Fireworks, Water Music, and much more.
Antonio Vivaldi- Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy. Before becoming a composer, Vivaldi was a priest. He was often called "the red priest" because he wore red robes. Eventually, Vivaldi chose to follow his passion for music. During his time as a composer, Vivaldi wrote over 500 concertos and is believed to have invented ritornello, a theme playing throughout a piece. Vivaldi died on July 28, 1741 in Vienna, Austria. His famous works include The Four Seasons, Gloria,Stabat major dolorosa, Con Alla Rustica in G, and more.
Georg Philipp Telemann- Telemann was born in March 14, 1681. Telemann was a distinguished composer as well as musician during his time. It's no wonder, as Telemann was a good friend of Handel and Bach. Telemann's unusual instrumentation in his concertos is what made him a unique composer. He died on June 25, 1767 in Hamburg, Germany. Some of Telemann's popular works include Viola Concerto in G, Trio Sonata in C minor, and the Paris Quartets.
Arcangelo Corelli- Corelli was born on February 17, 1653 in Fusignano, Italy. He was a composer, as well as teacher and violinist. Corelli's mastery of the tone of the violin, new at the time, earned him great praise from all around Europe. He is credited as the first person to come up with the basic violin technique. Corelli died on January 8, 1713 in Rome, Italy. Famous works of Corelli include Concerto Grossi, Christmas Concerto, and Sonata de camera in D minor.
Henry Purcell- Henry Purcell was born on September 10, 1659, in Westminster, England. He was considered England's greatest at the time, as well as the most original composer. Purcell was talented with word-setting and composed successful works for stage. He died on November 21, 1695 in Westminster, England at only 35 years old. Famous works include Dido and Aeneas, The Fairy Queen, and Sound the Trumpet.
Domenico Scarlatti- Darmenico Scarlatti was born on October 26, 1685 in Naples, Italy. He was the son of Alessandro Scarlatti, another well-known composer. Domenico wrote 555 known harpsichord sonatas, half of them being written in the last few years of his life. Domenico spent much of his life in the service of Spanish and Portuguese royal families, and included many Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian dance rhythms in his music. He died on July 23, 1757 in Madrid, Spain. Famous works of Domenico include Essercizi per Gravicembalo (sonatas for harpsichord) and more.
Johann Pachelbel- Pachelbel was born in 1653 in Nuremburg, Germany. Pachelbel taught Johann Christoph Bach (Johann Sebastian's older brother) music. Johann Sebastian greatly admired Pachelbel's works, according to his older brother. In fact, Pachelbel's music is said to have been quite similar to Johann Sebastian Bach's works. Pachelbel died on March 3, 1706 in Nuremberg, Germany. His famous works include Canon in D, otherwise known as "Pachelbel's Canon", Chaconne in F minor, and Toccata in C minor for organ. |
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