Overview
This lecture covers the main features, composers, instruments, and musical techniques of the Baroque Period (1600–1750) in Western and Central Europe.
Key Composers and Dates
- The Baroque Period lasted from roughly 1600 to 1750.
- Major Baroque composers: Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, and George Frideric Handel.
- The period was centered in Western and Central Europe.
Musical Features and Techniques
- Sudden changes in volume, called "terraced dynamics," were common instead of gradual changes.
- Baroque melodies were long, often spanning several bars and highly ornamented.
- Ornaments added to melodies include trills, turns, mordents, acciaccaturas, and appoggiaturas.
Baroque Instrumentation
- The harpsichord, known for its plucked-string sound, was a signature Baroque instrument.
- The Baroque orchestra centered on string instruments as many modern instruments did not exist.
- Other common Baroque instruments: oboes, wooden flutes, trumpets, and timpani (kettle drums).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Baroque Period — era in Western music from 1600 to 1750 known for ornate detail and new musical forms.
- Terraced dynamics — abrupt shifts in loudness, like stepping up or down in volume.
- Melody — a sequence of pitches and rhythms forming a musical line.
- Ornament — decorative musical flourishes (e.g., trills, mordents) added to melody notes.
- Harpsichord — keyboard instrument whose strings are plucked, not hammered.
- Timbre — the unique quality or color of a musical sound.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of Baroque music and observe terraced dynamics and ornamentation.
- Listen to works by Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel to identify key Baroque characteristics.