Transcript LEC7.1
Chapter 7 The Early Baroque Period Style Features of Early Baroque Music Key Terms Basso continuo Ground bass Basso ostinato Functional harmony Style Features of Early Baroque Music Extravagance & emotional expression tempered by scientific inquiry and logic Methodical use of musical elements to express emotions • Rhythm and Meter Influence of dance rhythms • Functional Harmony Major and minor scales • Texture: Basso Continuo Importance of instrumental music LETS LOOK AT THESE INDIVIDUALLY Rhythm and Meter Baroque rhythm ranged between two extremes— • Free speech-rhythms of recitative • Vivacious regularity of dance music Strong beat and regular meter give much Baroque music a clear rhythmic feel Consistent repetition of patterns strengthens rhythmic feel Different patterns appropriate for different emotions Texture: Basso Continuo Consistent feature of Baroque music • Similar to rhythm section in jazz or rock bands, and just as ubiquitous Basso continuo played by: • Bass melody instruments (cello or bass) • Chording instruments (keyboard or lute) Advantages of continuo: • Strong, reinforced bass line • Strong harmonic foundation—chording instruments continuously adds chords Texture: Ground Bass Ground bass = repeating bass line • Ground bass compositions build melodies and harmonies over this basso ostinato Ostinato is a near-universal practice • Purcell, “Dido’s Lament”; Sudanese Song; Frescobaldi, Passacaglia; Elephant-Hunt Song Functional Harmony Relies on major and minor scales with their strong pull toward tonic Chords formerly result of melodic thinking, polyphonic combinations of lines In continuo-based textures, more focus on chords & chord progressions Composers worked to construct effective chord progression over strong bass line Resulting harmonies more predictable, purposeful—more modern! Functional Harmony (2) Harmony now capable of greater emotional & dramatic expression • Strong pull to tonic creates sense of stability, inevitability • At the same time, it strengthens the disruption & disorientation created by dissonances or modulations Composers systematically create emotional states ranging between these extremes