Music of the Baroque Period
The Baroque period covers music written between approximately 1625 and 1750. Famous composers of this style include Bach, Handel and Vivaldi.
In the Baroque era, the architecture at the time was very grand and decorative and this was reflected in the music.
The Baroque period saw the development of certain types of work such as the Opera and the Oratorio. The orchestra was smaller than those of today and used fewer percussion instruments.
Baroque music includes both vocal and instrumental works.
Vocal Music
There are two main works of Baroque vocal music. They are the Opera and the Oratorio.
An Opera is a large scale work for S.A.T.B choir and orchestra. It uses songs, acting and scenery to tell a story. There is usually no dialogue. This is a non-religious work.
Listen to this example of an Opera.
An Oratorio is similar to an Opera, using the S.A.T.B Choir, soloists and Orchestra and is also set on stage with scenery. However, in an Oratorio, the text used is religious and follows a biblical theme.
Listen to this example of an Oratorio. In this example, one part copies another, what is this called? __________________
Also in this example, melisma is a common feature. This is when the singer uses more than one note for one syllable. The opposite of melisma is syllabic. This is when each syllable has a different note.
Before an Opera or Oratorio starts there is an introduction which is played by the orchestra alone. This is called the Overture.
Listen to this example of an Overture.
In each of these works, the choir used is an S.A.T.B chorus. This stands for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. The chorus can be used as a whole choir or individuals can do solo songs.
Listen to this example of a chorus. Name the keyboard instrument in the accompaniment. ___________________________
There are two different types of solo song, an Aria and a Recitative.
An Aria is sung by a solo singer and is accompanied by an Orchestra. It is often quite long.
Listen to this example of an Aria. Name the solo voice. _______________
A Recitative is also for a soloist or a duet. The recitative is almost half-spoken, half- sung and is controlled by the singer. The accompaniment follows at the singers speed and is usually quite limited.
Listen to this example of a recitative. Name the solo voice. _______________
In the Baroque period, three more types of voices were introduced. These are shown below.
SOPRANO
Mezzo Soprano – range between Soprano and alto
ALTO
Counter Tenor – male alto. Higher than tenor voice
TENOR
Baritone – range between Tenor and Bass
BASS
Listen to each of the voices.
When the chorus sings different textures can be used.
Homophonic – All parts are moving at the same time. E.g hymn tunes.
Polyphonic/contrapuntal – Parts all move at different times and interact with each other. They each have separate melodic lines.
Listen to the textures of the following pieces and write down the answers.
1. __________________
2. __________________
As well as large scale works, there are also two smaller scale works, the Cantata and the Passion.
The Cantata is a smaller version of the opera. It also uses choruses and solo songs. These are accompanied by orchestra or harpsichord and cello. (continuo)
Listen to this Cantata.
The Passion is similar to the Oratorio however it is solely based on the Crucifixion of Christ.
Now answer the following example questions.
1. Listen to the piece and tick the correct voice.
Countertenor
Soprano
Mezzo Soprano
Baritone
2. Listen to another excerpt and tick two boxes to identify what you hear.
Homophony
Polyphony
Cadenza
Voices in unison/octaves
A cappella
3. Listen to this excerpt and tick one box to describe what you hear.
Recitative
Aria
Chorale
Chorus
4. Listen to this excerpt and tick one box in each column.
Column A Column B
Contrary motion Melismatic word setting
Round Syllabic word setting
Ostinato Scat
Rallentando
5. Tick the type of voice you hear.
Alto
Countertenor
Baritone
6. Listen to this excerpt. Tick one box in each column.
Column A Column B Column C
French Horn Recitative Obbligato
Saxophone Aria Tierce de Picardie
Trumpet Chorus Coda
7. Listen to this excerpt and tick two boxes to describe what you hear.
Homophony
Polyphony
Scat singing
Syllabic word setting
Melismatic word setting
Music of the Baroque Period
Instrumental Music
Composers such as Vivaldi and Bach also wrote works for Instruments and orchestras in the baroque period. As mentioned before the orchestras were not as large in this era and some instruments were just being introduced. The percussion section was much smaller and the timpani were the main instruments in this section.
This is an example of the size of the Baroque orchestra.
They wrote Concertos for particular instruments. For example, Vivaldi wrote the violin concerto, ‘The Four Seasons’. This has four different sections or movements.
Listen to an example from this.
Bach wrote many works for piano. These include preludes and fugues. He wrote one in each major and minor key.
Listen to an example of one.
Works were also written for full orchestra, for example Handel’s ‘Water Music’.
Listen to an example from this.
Music written for a small group was known as Chamber Music. This would only include 1 or 2 of a similar kind of instrument. For example, a wind quintet may consist of flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and horn.
This picture shows a small chamber group from the baroque period. It consists of harpsichord, 2 violins, 2 cellos, 2 horns and a double bass.
This is a harpsichord. It was a very commonly used instrument in the baroque period. It is similar to a piano but the strings are plucked rather than struck to produce the sound.
Concepts Learned
Melodic
Melismatic word setting
Syllabic word setting
Harmonic
Suspension
Tierce de Picardie
Structural
Unison/octave
Harmony
Accompanied/ unaccompanied
Homophony
Polyphony
Contrapuntal
Coda
Obbligato
Cadenza
Timbre
Mezzo-soprano, countertenor, baritone
A cappella
Chamber Music
Orchestra
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Styles / Forms
Opera
Oratorio
Overture
Aria
Recitative
Chorus
Passion
Chorale
Concerto