Transcript Document

Johann Sebastian Bach
• J.S. Bach worked at different times for
nobility and the church. He never moved far
from his birthplace, Leipzig, Germany.
• He composed about 1000 pieces, mainly
religious oratorios and pieces for organ or
harpsichord.
• Bach was a master of the fugue.
• Bach’s music represents the musical trend of
the Baroque period. It was “cutting edge”
for his time.
• Today he is known as the greatest composer
of the Baroque period. During his lifetime,
he was known for his skill as an organist but
not as a composer.
• Four of his sons are also well-known
composers.
Listen to excerpts from each piece.
In your notes, make a line drawing that represents
the harmony created in each.
• Little Fugue in G - fugue
• Toccata and Fugue in d minor - fugue
• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - chorale
Many hymns of today began as chorales from some of Bach’s larger
works.
In your notes, write one way the music, architecture, fashion
and art of the Baroque Period are similar.
Beat: steady pulse
Tempo: the speed of the beat
• The music seems to be
moving forward with a
sense of purpose or
urgency, a sense of
“rhythmic drive.”
• The beat or pulse of
Baroque music is usually
very steady.
• The tempo of Baroque
music can be any speed.
The tempo stays the same
through the entire
composition.
Listen to an excerpt from each piece, and focus on the beat,
the “rhythmic drive,” and the tempo.
• Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach
• Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by J.S. Bach
• “Autumn” from The Four Seasons by A. Vivaldi
These pieces were composed as music to listen to.
Where do you think these pieces were originally
performed, and who was there to listen?
Would this be good music to listen to if you are working
on homework? In an office? Why or why not?
Dynamics: the loudness or softness (quietness) of music.
During the Baroque period, how loud or soft the music is
depends on the number of musicians playing. Instruments are
fairly crude and not easy to control.
1 bassoon = softer
more bassoons = louder
When 3 bassoons play, then 2, then 1,
the change from loud to softer to soft is
more like steps than a gradual change.
This effect is called terraced dynamics.
Composers began to write dynamic markings in their
music during the 17th century (1600s). It wasn’t long
before piano and forte are written in new Italian
music. Similar markings are added to music by
composers in other European countries.
Why do you think little or no orchestra music was
composed in the New World at this time?
Oratorio: musical drama based on a religious
subject.
• The oratorio tells a story through music.
• Similar to an opera, there are no speaking parts.
• Different from an opera, the singers stand in place.
– No special costumes
– No scenery
– No acting on stage
– Sung in English.
George Frideric Handel
• Handel was born in Germany.
He traveled a lot and eventually
settled in England.
• He was a court musician, and
paid very well!
• Handel was a popular composer
during his life time. He wrote
in many different genres/styles
of music including oratorios,
orchestral works, chamber
music, and operas.
In your notes, write three details
of Handel’s clothing that make
you think he lives during the
Baroque Period.
Handel composed 25 oratorios. His most famous
oratorio, Messiah, is still performed often.
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Messiah was written in 23 days for a charity performance in Dublin, Ireland.
Handel composed this work so it could be performed by most singers and
accompanied by a small orchestra. Since the charity performance was done
outside of London, Handel did not expect to have as many fine musicians in
the orchestra and chorus as he did in the big city.
The beauty and simplicity of Messiah have made it one of the most wellknown and most frequently performed works ever.
King George II was in the audience of the first
performance in London. During the section called
“Hallelujah Chorus,” King George II was so
enthusiastic he stood! No one can remain seated
when the king is standing, so everyone in the audience
stood, too. Since that day, everyone stands for the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
• Listen to excerpts from two of Handel’s
oratorios:
– “Hallelujah Amen” from Judas Maccabaeus
– “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah.
Why do you suppose people have continued to
enjoy Handel’s (and Bach’s) music for more
than 250 years?
Concerto: a piece for instruments usually based on
contrasting textures, moods, timbres, and tempos.
• As instruments improved, composers placed greater
demands on the performers.
• The concerto grosso has a small solo group of instruments
(concertino) play against the full orchestra.
• One example of a concerto grosso is Brandenburg
Concerto No. 3 by J.S. Bach. Listen to the excerpt.
In your notes, name the instruments of the concertino.
Antonio Vivaldi
• Vivaldi entered the
priesthood, but could not
ignore his love of music.
• He taught violin and
conducted an orchestra at
an orphanage for girls in
Venice. The orphanage
was famous for its many
accomplished musicians.
Why would conducting an
orchestra at an orphanage
for girls be unusual around
1700?
Solo Concerto: piece for solo instrument with orchestra
accompaniment. During his lifetime, Antonio Vivaldi
composed about 500 concertos.
• Vivaldi’s concertos are very difficult to play. A virtuoso,
or highly skilled performer, is required for the soloist.
• The Four Seasons is a set of concertos for violin.
• Listen to an excerpt from “Autumn.”
Describe the mood or feeling you get from
this movement. Predict the moods of
“Spring,” “Summer,” and “Winter.” What
tempo or dynamics might to help convey the different
mood or feeling?
Review of Music in the Baroque
1. Where was music performed during this time?
2. What are some of the duties expected of a
composer if he was employed by Royalty or the
Church?
3. Is there a something undesirable about the
patronage system?
4. What instruments were part of the orchestras
during this time?
Review of Music in the Baroque
5. Performers were expected to sing or play the
melody of a piece exactly as the composer wrote
it. True or False, and why?
6. How is harmony created in a fugue?
7. If you wanted a group of instruments to play
loud, then a little softer, then soft, why would
the dynamics be terraced and not gradual?
8. How is music of the Baroque like the art,
architecture, and fashions of the time?
Review of Music in the Baroque
9.
I composed more than 500 concertos, each requiring a
virtuoso soloist. I also conducted an orchestra at an
orphanage for girls. Who am I?
10. I was a popular composer of my time, and traveled a lot
to conduct my works. One of my most famous pieces is
an oratorio. Who am I?
11. I was a master of the fugue, but known more for my
virtuoso skills as an organist. Today many people think
of me as the greatest composer of the Baroque Period.
Who am I?
12. When someone talks about the “Baroque” Period, what
years does that cover?