Baroque Era
1600-1750
What does “baroque” mean?
• The literal meaning is bizarre, flamboyant, and elaborately ornamental
• DECORATIVE
Architecture
Art
Clothing
Characteristics of Baroque Music
• Unity of Mood- the mood of the song stays the same throughout the song
• Melody- decorative and difficult to remember
• Rhythm- same pattern repeated throughout the
song
Characteristics of Baroque Music
• Texture- polyphonic; 2 or more melodies played at the same time
• Terraced Dynamics- no gradual change from loud to soft or vice versa
Characteristics of Baroque Music
• Words and Music- the words illustrate the meaning of the music
• Figured Bass- use of numbers below bass clef notes in piano music
Day 2
2 Composer Giants of Baroque Music
• George Frederick Handel
• Johann Sebastian Bach• Died in 1750
Baroque Orchestra
• 10-30 players
• Strings– Violin– Viola– Cello– String Bass– Harpsichord
Baroque Orchestra continued
• Woodwinds– Flute– Oboe– Bassoon– Recorder
• Brass– Trumpet– French Horn– Trombone
• Percussion– Timpani
Day 3
Opera
• Began in Italy around 1600• Libretto– Text the opera is set to; composer adds
music
• 1-5 acts subdivided into scenes, like plays
• Open with Overture• Introductions to acts are called
preludes
Opera continued
• Recitative– Words are sung quickly and clearly on
repeated tones to imitate how words are spoken
• Aria– Main attraction; song for solo voice with
orchestra accompaniment
• Topics of opera– Taken from Greek mythology or ancient
historyhttp://youtu.be/7qHZkkgowdY
Your Assignment
• Write a libretto (words for your opera)• Worth 10 points• You need AT LEAST:– 1 Act (Day of the week)– 3 Scenes total on your sheet of paper
(places where your conversations happen)
– 5 lines of conversation per scene– 3 words per line of conversation– Use conversations that have actually
taken place