Baroque Music: History, Characteristics, and Forms
Chronology of the Baroque Period
The Baroque period followed the Renaissance and preceded Classicism. It spanned from the 17th century until the middle of the 18th century. Musically, it began with the emergence of opera, marked by Jacobo Peri’s Euridice (the first preserved opera) composed in 1600, and ended with the death of J.S. Bach in 1750.
Social Context
Absolutist monarchies were prevalent, with the King representing the maximum power. Society was divided into three estates:
- 1st Estate: King and aristocracy
- 2nd Estate: Church
- 3rd Estate: Bourgeoisie and peasantry
The major institutions were the Church and the Court.
Baroque Music
Baroque music can be divided into:
- Folklore: Transmitted orally (mostly lost), it was the music of the lower classes.
- Classical Music: Enjoyed by the upper classes.
Key Features:
- Many dissonances
- Complex harmony
- Melodic difficulty
- Contrived, unnatural, and uneven
Formation of the Orchestra
The orchestra consisted of a stable set of families:
- Strings (base)
- Wind
- Percussion
Basso Continuo: A wind-based accompaniment in works, often played by the harpsichord, supporting the main melody.
Instrumental Music
The importance of the soloist (e.g., violin) emerged, leading to the first virtuosos.
Vocal Music
Opera appeared:
- Daphne (1598) by Jacobo Peri (only fragments remain)
- Euridice (1600) by Jacobo Peri
- Orfeo (1607) by Claudio Monteverdi (first full score)
History of Opera:
Opera evolved from liturgical drama (religious drama) and medieval authors. It incorporated elements from intermedios, which had their own themes, sets, and music. Italy (Florence) was the birthplace of opera in the 17th century.
String Family
Prominent instruments included the guitar and the harpsichord. The harpsichord often served as the musical director of the orchestra, playing the basso continuo and also functioning as a solo instrument.
Bowed String Instruments: Violin and viola.
Wind Family
- Woodwind: Recorder, flute, oboe, bassoon
- Brass: Sackbut, trumpet
- Mixed: Pipe organ
Percussion
Timpani
Instrumental Forms
Concerto:
- Solo Concerto: Dialogue between the soloist and the tutti (full orchestra), highlighting the soloist’s virtuosity.
- Mixed Concerto: Passages featuring the tutti, concertino (small group of instruments), and soloist.
- Concerto Grosso: Structured in three movements (fast-slow-fast), emphasizing contrasts and timbre through a dialogue between the tutti and concertino.
Suite: A musical work containing several dances, such as Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue.
Sonata: Typically has four contrasting movements (fast-slow-fast-slow or vice-versa), designed for a solo instrument or a small group.
Fugue: A polyphonic work in a single movement, often performed by a single instrument or several. Bach’s fugues are particularly well-known.
Parts of the Opera
- Overture: Instrumental introduction
- Interludes: Link different parts of the opera
- Soloists: Protagonists who carry the main vocal weight
- Choirs and Ballets: May appear occasionally
- Aria: Melodic part for singers to showcase their skills
- Recitative: Between spoken voice and sung, advancing the plot and dialogue
The Oratorio
Similar to opera but with a religious context. Key differences:
- Religious theme, with texts from the Bible
- No staging
- Narrator develops the argument
- No dances
One of the most famous oratorios is Handel’s Messiah.
Cantata
Means “to be sung.” Can be written with religious or secular texts. Bach wrote over two hundred cantatas.
The Passion: A liturgical drama telling the Passion and death of Christ according to the Gospels. One of the most renowned is the St. Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach.