Music Theory/Baroque

Definition
Baroque music loosely refers to music from around 1600-1750. Baroque music has distinct features to it such as the use of counterpoint and polyphony.

Notable Features
Baroque music can often be characterised by a number of common features:

Sonority and Instrumentation

 * String instruments usually dominate the sonority. These were the primary instruments available at the time.
 * Later in the Baroque period, more woodwind instruments were used, such as the flute, oboe, and bassoon, but strings remained the dominant section.
 * Vocal parts. Vocal music was also very popular in the Baroque Era, especially that written for solo voice and SATB choirs.

Melody

 * Repetition. Phrases are often repeated. Indeed, the structure of many Baroque pieces enabled for repeats of sections
 * Extensive use of ornamentation. The Baroque period truly began the widespread use of ornamentation of melodies for dramatic effect.

Harmony

 * Diatonic harmony. Harmony is plain and simple, but can still be very effective and passionate. Chord choices are limited.
 * High rate of harmonic change. Keys change frequently, and chords are changed rapidly as Baroque pieces progress.

Tonality

 * Unlike in previous Eras, there was a move away from modal music. Major and minor tonalities are used completely.
 * The use of cadences became almost clichéd in the Baroque Era, particularly new cadences such as the Phrygian cadence.

Texture

 * 4-part textures for large scale works were a composer's "rite of passage". Every major composer wrote some works for 4 part choir or strings.
 * Polyphony was very developed. Fugal writing peaked during the Baroque Era.

Structure

 * Recitative continued to be popular. This would be a vocal part accompanied by interspersed continuo chords.
 * Aria. These would have various structures. Some would be in strophic form (verses), although new forms such as ternary (ABA) became popular.

Tempo, Rhythm, and Metre

 * All of tempo, rhythm, and metre were very varied. Often, composers took a particular style.

Composers
Notable composers include:-


 * Gregorio Allegri    (1582-1652)  Italy
 * Johann Pachelbel    (1653-1706)  Germany            Most famous work is the Canon in D
 * Arcangelo Corelli   (1653-1713)  Italy
 * Henry Purcell       (1659-1695)  English
 * Tomaso Albinoni     (1671-1751)  Italy
 * Antonio Vivaldi     (1678-1741)  Italy
 * G.P. Telemann       (1681-1767)  Germany
 * Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) France
 * Domenico Scarlatti  (1685-1757)  Italy
 * J.S.Bach            (1685-1750)  Germany            Very prolific composer
 * G.F. Handel         (1685-1759)  Germany            Most famous work is the Hallelujah chorus from the Messiah