Unit 5

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NotesLinks to an external site. 

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Baroque Music Overview

Step 1

  • Listen to the 3 examples below to answer the following questions

  • Share your overall impression of the music of the Baroque Period

  • How does this music sound similar to the music of the Renaissance?

  • How does this music sound different from the music of the Renaissance?

A. Canadian Brass

  1.  Baroque music used repetitive rhythmic phrases layered on top of each other with a soloist above it all or within breaks. It is absolutely magnificent to listen to the counterpoint and the solo work was extremely technical.
  2.  Polyphony (imitation), and modal pieces were still in use. 
  3. This period loved brass more than the Renaissance ever could. Also, the solo work was becoming increasingly more intricate (that trumpet player was crazy!!!!). 

B.  Dido and Aneas

  1. Vocal music was commonly connected to a specific story and due to the popularity of the opera, the singer was often theatrical. I think Baroque vocal music must have been extremely entertaining due to this quality (eg. the facial expressions of the singer were amazing to watch!). 
  2.  The grandeur mood and use of imitative polyphony are used in both eras. 
  3. This string ensemble with a vocal soloist is short and sweet with a ritornello orchestral section in the beginning and end, the solo in the middle. This is a systematic form (ABA) that was common in the Baroque era to ease the patronage system of writing music. Renaissance music was not as organized. 

C.  Scarlotti HarpsichordLinks to an external site.

  1.  Baroque keyboard music was extremely technical.  Chords underlay fast technical work and symmetry/persistent rhythms were common. 
  2.  The harpsichord and its solo work maintained popularity through both eras. 
  3.  The chord structure underlying this piece and the use of sequence is unique to the Baroque era and would not have been found in the Renaissance. Specifically the symmetry of phrases and repetition of rhythms.

 

Step 2

  • Describe the mood of the music represented here in Monteverdi's opera OrfeoLinks to an external site.

The mood in this piece begins celebratory. The bright trumpets and strong bass line give off a marching feeling. Then, when the strings take over there is a light, flowy feel to the whole thing. Not long after the original theme enters again, but louder and stronger than before. A minor section enters in contemplation, not quite sorrowful but rather lost in thought. Vocals enter here, and due to the smile on the singers face and the major resolve of the chords I still think this piece is the end of a long struggle; both the victory and the peace that follows. 

Step 3

  • Describe the pitch geography and pattern of the bass line heard here in Pachelbel's CanonLinks to an external site.

    • The bass line descends greatly, ascends (below the original note played), descends greatly again, ascends (below the third note), descends, returns to the fifth note, and resolves before repeating itself. I believe it is moving downwards in thirds. 

  • Enjoy Pachabel's RantLinks to an external site.

 

Step 4

  • Why do you think this Trumpet TuneLinks to an external site. by Purcell  is used for so many wedding ceremonies?

    • The joyful trumpet and steady organ chords definitely radiate celebratory. I can imagine that in the Baroque period this was typical grandeur used for all occasions like a wedding (there is a level of elegance expected, but it is also a celebration).  

 

Step 5

  • Describe the emotional effect inspired by When I am Laid in EarthLinks to an external site. from Purcell's Dido and Aneas

    • Immediately the voice is in extreme agony. You can hear the pain in her voice and the plucked stringed instrument and cello lines add to the eerie and unsettling feel of the piece. Especially the cello solo section. I feel like I'm at a creepy Baroque funeral at dusk. Or a witch in Salem is being burned at the stake in slow motion (Joan of Arc!). 

 

Step 6

  • Describe the texture(monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic) of this Old 100th Hymn from the Bay Psalm BookLinks to an external site.  Homophonic

 

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Step 1

  • Gather resources of your own choosing to answer the following questions

  1. Provide approximate dates for the Baroque Period (1600-1700) punctuated with notable world/historical events

 1602: Dutch East India Company established- early mega-corporation specializing in Indian staples

1603: Elizabeth 1 dies (a.k.a death of the "Virgin Queen"; a pure bloodline ended and her half-sister took the throne)

1607: Establishment of the Jamestown Settlement in North America

1610: Louis XIII inherited the French Throne- he was nine and exiled his mother at 16 because she mismanaged the country

1618: Thirty Years War began- not a very good thing for the states 

1620: Arrival of the pilgrims in North America- not a very good thing for the Native Americans in the long run 

1625:Rein of Charles I in England- inherited a monarchy in debt, created a lot of taxes, was eventually executed. 

1626: Discovery of NY

1627: Dutch "disaster year"- full of war and poverty 

1642: Death of Galileo- not a massive change at this time, but important In the long run

1643: Rein of Louis XIV- lead to more concentrated power of the French monarchy 

1660 - End of Commonwealth of England & Return of Monarchy (English Restoration)- exactly what it sounds like, monarchy became important again and individual governments were coupled together.

1643 - Rule of William III and Mary II- helped regain stability after the Dutch disaster year

1692 - Salem Witch Trials begin in the states- not good for women 


Define the term 'Baroque' and how this relates to the characteristics of music and art from this period

    1. Baroque literally means "an ornate pearl". This relates to the characteristics of music and art from this period because it was highly experimental, and still beautiful. Art was using new bright colors and techniques, music was taking word painting to a new level. Art was using drastic contrasts of light and dark, music was opposing entire choruses in counterpoint. 
  2. List the Instruments for each family that comprise a Baroque Period Orchestra
    1. String- 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 double bass, lute, theorbo
    2. Brass- 2 natural horns, 2 natural trumpets 
    3. Woodwind - 2 flutes 2 oboes 2 bassoons 
    4. Percussion- timpani, harpsichord, pipe organ, 
  3.  Provide a bit of trivia regarding
    1. Brass Valves vs. No Brass Valves in this Time Period- The "natural trumpet" had no valves, making tuning more reliant on the player. Also, the partials were closer together in wavelength, making this trumpet sound out of tune compared to the modern day trumpet. The natural horn also had no valves, presenting similar problems. 
    2. Baroque Trills and Ornamentation- Baroque trills typically start on the higher note and trill downwards to the goal pitch. Sometimes this upper pitch is played in anticipation (slightly before the beat the trill is supposed to start on). Appoggiaturas were also commonly used, always slurred with a diminuendo to the lower note. Longer duration appoggiaturas should be matched with vibrato. A short appoggiatura should receive no vibrato, a sharp accent, and a more intense diminuendo. Free ornamentation was another common practice. However, it commonly followed these rules. LinkLinks to an external site.
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I'll be Bach

Step 1

Beginning with all strings, the timbre is smooth (with just a bit of that scratchiness to it you get from violin 1s being so high) Then brass enters with a bit of brightness to it. The timpani has a particular twang that makes it stick out. 

Step 2

  • Comment on the musical relationship between the soloists and orchestra in WinterLinks to an external site. Links to an external site.from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi

    • The piece begins with a slow paced ritornello from the orchestra like a pulse on every beat. The soloist has an extremely fast paced, high-pitched line that is much harsher. The harpsichord also has beautiful ascending lines that provide forward movement with the orchestra to set up the soloist (third solo). This pulsating orchestra does not stop, but does emphasize important solo lines. The second movement is a more melodic section. This pulse continues as pizzicato and on every eighth note, providing the chords for the beautiful solo soaring above it all.  The third movement bring about polyphonic sections from the orchestra, yet many times are still pulsing with the underlying chords. The orchestra is the continuo.

 

Step 3

  • Describe the types of orchestral instruments heard in Presto IIILinks to an external site. from Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4

    • Harpsichord, violin section, viola section, recorder section (the timbre was too round to be a flute), possibly some cello, hard to tell if it is a low viola or a high cello line. 

 

Step 4

 

Step 5

 

Step 6

(Hint: The A ThemeLinks to an external site. is represented in the first 13 measures)  7 A sections with the A theme played 16 times. 

 

Step 7

(Hint: See Bach Fugue SubjectLinks to an external site.  Links to an external site.& Hear Bach Fugue Subject)Links to an external site.

I think 10 but I heard a few partial entries of the theme that were not finished. 

 

Step 8

(Hint: Use this Listening Calendar and Links to an external site.FlowchartLinks to an external site. as a Guide)

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Honors Track

Option 2

  • Provide a brief narrative about the Harpsichord 

  1. History- The harpsichord first appeared in the late 14th century in Italy, and it was not unique in construction. The organ came before it, allowing for a baseline on how to control an instrument via keyboard. Fun fact: the advancements on the harpsichord was similar to those made in clockwork around the time! 

  2. Makers/sellers

    1. British Harpsichord Society (seller), Links to an external site.Peter Barnes, Links to an external site.Early Music Shop, Links to an external site.Keyboard Instruments from Laurie Leigh AntiqueLinks to an external site.s, Musical Instrument Sales -Harpsichords, Spinets, Links to an external site.The Music Room Workshop, Links to an external site. Andrew WoodersonLinks to an external site.

    2. OR check out the British harpsichord SocietyLinks to an external site. and they can connect you with individuals who custom make harpsichords.

  3. Special Instrument Features/How it Works

    1. The note is plucked by a plectrum, creating a twangy-ier sound than a piano. Due to this mechanism, it is impossible to control dynamics by pressing the keys in varying strengths. Instead, some harpsichords have multiple keyboards with one or more plectrums set to pluck triggered through levers on the side of the instrument (called "stops"). Some harpsichords have foot pedals instead of levers to operate the stops. LinkLinks to an external site.

  4. Notable Performers

    1. Domenico Scarlatti, François Couperin, Gustav Leonhardt, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Trevor Pinnock, Scott Ross, Antonio Soler, Masaaki Suzuki, Davitt Moroney, Les Filles de Sainte Colombe, Georg Muffat here are some more!Links to an external site.

  5. notable Compositions

      1. Bach was a major harpsichord enthusiast and composed many works for them. A few include: English Suites, French Suites, Partitas for Keyboard, Tocaattas for Keyboard, and many more. Other famous works include: My Ladye Nevells Booke, The Harmonious Blacksmith, Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue,  and the Harpsichord Concerto (Glass).

A.  Original Baroque PartitaLinks to an external site. in B minor 3. Courante R 114

 

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