Baroque Music and Dance: Forms, Composers, and Evolution
Religious Vocal Music
Characteristics of Baroque Vocal Music
- Compound forms
- Orchestra, soloists, and choir
- Parts: Recitatives, Arias, and Choirs
The Cantata
The term cantata means “music for singing,” in opposition to the sonata (“music for playing”). Notable composers include Telemann and Bach.
The Oratorio
Similar to an opera but with a religious theme and performed without stage action. Oratorios are typically more elaborate and longer than cantatas, often introducing a narrator. Key composers include
Read MoreTraditional Asian Musical Instruments and Performing Arts
Traditional Asian Musical Instruments & Performing Arts
Gamelan: Indonesian Ensemble Music
Gamelan is the traditional ensemble music of Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese cultures in Indonesia, made up predominantly of percussive instruments.
The most common instruments used are metallophones played by mallets and a set of hand-played drums called kendhang, which register the beat.
Other commonly used Gamelan instruments include:
- The kemanak (a banana-shaped idiophone)
- The gangsa (another metallophone)
Music History: Romantic Era & 20th Century Movements
The Romantic Era in Music
Characteristics of Romanticism
The Romantic era, a most outstanding period in the history of music, emerged in the 19th century as a result of the new society that appeared since the French Revolution. The Romantic aspiration of “art for art’s sake,” without conditioning, led music to great formal and expressive freedom. Melody was the most important element, and dynamic effects were constant.
Program Music & Forms
While classical instrumental forms were still cultivated,
Read MoreA Journey Through Early Music and Medieval Drama
Monody and Polyphony: Core Concepts
Monody is a musical composition for a single voice or melody, a significant development during the eighth and thirteenth centuries. This contrasted with earlier practices where multiple voices often sang in unison or an octave range. Generally, the term refers to any melody for one voice and is opposed to polyphony.
Polyphony is recognized as a set of simultaneous sounds, where each expresses a distinct musical idea, retaining its independence while forming a harmonious
Read MoreMusical Eras: Baroque, Renaissance, Classicism, and Medieval
Baroque Period (17th – Early 18th Century)
Features:
- Music aims to surpass the word, prioritizing harmonic systems.
- Voices have varying importance; a primary melody is accompanied by others (melody and accompaniment).
- Use of dissonance.
- Well-defined rhythm.
- Instrumental and vocal music are distinct.
Periods:
- Early Baroque (1580-1630): Focused on dissonance.
- Mid-Baroque (1630-1680): Rise of opera and vocal music.
- Late Baroque (1680-1750): Concert style.
Late Renaissance (14th-16th Century)
Features:
- Polyphonic
Music Genres, History, and Cultural Forms
Types of Music
Religious or Sacred Music
Is about religious matters or related to any religion.
Secular Music
It is all nonreligious music and, therefore, about any other topic regarding human beings and their concerns.
Art Music
We usually understand this as “classical” music.
Popular Music
It is a type of music targeted for a wider audience and is generally more widespread and accepted. We have to distinguish between traditional or folkloric music and pop or easy listening music.
Descriptive Music
It is
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