Transcript Baroque Music - Nutley Schools

Baroque Music
Advances in Vocal and
Instrumental Music
• Vocal
– Evolution of 3 dramatic vocal forms: opera,
oratorio, and cantata
• Instrumental
– Emancipation of instrumental music as
accompaniment to vocal music—instrumental
music dominated on its own
– Evolution of forms: sonata, suite, concerto
Vocal Music
Opera
• A dramatic staged musical production performed by singers
and instrumentalists with support from dance, costumes,
scenery, and lighting
• Opera seria—the predominant form of opera in the 17th
and 18th centuries. It used mythological stories, employing
a succession of recitatives and arias
• Recitative—words are sung based on speech rhythms and
inflections
• Aria—an extended vocal solo with instrumental
accompaniment. More “song-like”
• Notable operas include Handel’s Giulio Caesare, Purcell’s
Dido and Aeneas, Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea
Oratorio
• Featured soloists (as characters), choir,
instrumentalists
• Not intended to be staged, but does tell a story
• Subject matter is usually biblical
• Intended as a concert piece
• The Messiah by G.F. Handel is the most famous
example of a Baroque era oratorio
• Other significant oratorios include Bach’s St
Matthew Passion, Schutz’s Easter Oratorio and
Chapantier’s Le Reniement de Saint Pierre
Cantata
• Multi-movement vocal composition
• Were written for soloists or choirs
• Intended to be used as part of a church
service
• J.S. Bach was a prolific composer of cantatas—
nearly 200
• Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme one of his
most famous
Instrumental Music
Suite
• A piece made up of a number of short dances
• Originally for harpsichord
• Often consists of four specific dances
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Allemande—duple meter, moderate tempo
Courante—triple meter, fast tempo
Sarabande—triple meter, slow tempo
Gigue (Jig)—compound meter, fast tempo
• Other dances are often included
• Sometimes preceded by a Prelude
• Ensemble suites emerged later, often called “Sonata da
Camera,” “ Sinfonia” or “Overture”
Sonata
• From the Italian sonare, meaning “to sound,” was first used to describe
works that were played instead of sung
• Trio Sonata—written for two violins plus continuo (played by harpsichord)
or two wind instruments (usually recorder, flute, or oboe) with continuo
• Continuo provided the bass line from which the harmonic structure was
created
• Two main types of Baroque Sonatas:
– Sonata da chiesa (church sonata)
• Slow intorduction
• Allegro (quick) section—fugue
– Fugue—compositional technique using two or more voices, built on a theme that is introduced
and repeated through imitation
• Cantabile slow movement
• Lively finale—binary form
– Sonata da camera (court sonata)
• Prelude
• Succession of dances
• Usually in the same key
Concerto
• Features a solo instrument contrasted by a larger
ensemble
• Solo concerto—features one solo instrument
• Concerto grosso—features several solo
instruments
• Orchestral passages called tutti or ripieno
passages
• Solo passages called concertino passages
• Attention to timbre—various combinations of
instruments create contrast throughout piece
Significant Composers
Arcangelo Corelli
• 1653-1713
• Born in Fusignano, Italy, studied in Bologna, and settled in Rome
• Was famous for his skill as a violinist, known for the beautiful tone quality
with which he played
• Was a popular composer—music was performed and revered throughout
Europe
– He popularized the Concerto Grosso, his Opus 6 is his most popular
– He composed many Sonatas as well—many were dedicated to a variety of
patrons, including Queen Christina, Cardinal Pamphili, and Cardinal Ottoboni
• Also known as a great teacher
– Vivaldi is is most famous student—became Corelli’s successor as composter of
Concerti Grossi
– Many young composers, including Handel, would seek guidance from Corelli
when they were in Italy
Johann Sebastian Bach
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1685-1750
Born in Eisenach, Germany
Part of a musical family—learned from his father, uncles, and brother
Worked as church musician in various churches around Germany
Held many prestigious posts
– Kapellmeister to Prince Leopold
– Royal Court Composer to August III
– Cantor of the Thomasschule in Leipzig
• Famous for his skill as an organist
• Not recognized as a great composer until after his death
• Composed for organ, harpsichord, orchestral and chamber music, vocal
works
• Fathered 20 children; 10 survived to adulthood
George Friederich Handel
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1685-1759
Born in Germany
Family was not musical; father wanted him to be a lawyer instead of a musician
Trained in Hamburg and Italy
Settled in England in 1727, where he lived the rest of his life
Spent the early part of his career composing opera—was heavily influenced by his
time in Italy
Became Kapellmeister to Prince George of Germany, who would later become King
George 1 of England
Was employed by Queen Anne of England, the Earl of Burlington, and the Earl of
Cork
Wrote Zadok the Priest for the coronation of King George II, which has been played
at every British coronation ceremony since
Wrote the Messiah in 1742. The king was so inspired by the work that he stood for
its finale, the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Since the king stood, the rest of the audience
stood. It is still tradition to stand during the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
Antonio Vivaldi
• 1678-1741
• Born in Venice
• Ordained a priest, but left within a year of being ordained
– While he claimed a physical condition was the reason, some believe it was his
love of music that was the reason for his departure
• Venice was known for its fine music conservatories
• Many orphanages also existed, called “Ospedali”
– Actually homes for the female offspring of noblemen and their mistresses
– Girls at these orphanages received excellent musical training
– Vivaldi worked at the Ospedale della Pieta, known as the best of the Ospedali.
He composed many concerti for his talented pupils
• Wrote several operas, including Ottone in villa, Armida, Teuzzone, and Tito
Manilo
• Wrote twelve concertos, of which The Four Seasons is the most famous