Classical music from the Baroque era set the groundwork for contemporary classical music .  The Baroque Period in classical music boasted the creation of opera, the abandonment of the church modes, and new exciting musical forms like the Baroque Suite. Music from the Baroque from classical composers like Bach , Monteverdi , Strozzi, and Purcell shared several major characteristics common to all works of the Baroque period. The Baroque Era lasted from 1600-1750 (or the year that Bach died). Although many of these musical innovations occurred centuries in the past, contemporary compositions owe much to the developments of the Baroque Era. While monophony prevailed during the early Baroque period, music of the late Baroque Era embraced more complex polyphony than even the complex lines of the Renaissance. Monophony essentially involves a single line with accompaniment. Monophony prevailed in opera, however, since understanding text and drama is essential to understanding th...

Bach wasn't always a famous composer. Find out why the Baroque Master remained a mystery for over a century!  Believe it or not, Bach's music largely disappeared shortly after his death. Part of the reason for Bach's relative obscurity is that he was part of a very large musical family. In other words, he was just another talented musician in the bunch. Even two of his children - Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach and Johann Christian Bach - pursued music after Bach died. They were not as famous as he was, although their works are still played today. <a href="http://sabrinapenayoung.bandcamp.com/album/classical-music-for-tranquil-meditation">Classical Music for Tranquil Meditation by Sabrina Pena Young</a> Being only one of many Bachs, he established an excellent regional reputation, but did not gain fame internationally with his work. During the Baroque, being a composer w...

Image via Wikipedia (Text in large print for classroom projection) Characteristics of Classical Era Music Homophony and clarity of melody Balance and proportion "Naturalness" Symmetry Clarity Elegance More contrast Melodies simplified and less ornate Folk music influence Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Mozart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGln8LFA8Qw " Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman " Twelve Variations by Mozart Music was considered the "language of the heart" Major Composers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-crzq1PX4A Joseph Hadyn Amadeus Mozart Beethoven Music was meant to reach the listener emotionally. Composer Training: Harmony Theory Performance Opera Characters were more realistic Themes were often political in nature Homophony Opera Buffa ( Comic Opera ) Real life characters in humorous situations Mozart "Marriage of Figaro" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx5ixDUduvE Mozart Opera by Victor Borge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYzmtJ_Ueg Humorou...

Image via Wikipedia (Text in LARGE print for classroom projection) CLASSICAL ERA 1750-1820 Classical: Dealing with Roman and Greek Antiquity The Age of Enlightenment (1720-1790) The belief in reason and progress. An age where the middle class raged against the extravagance of the aristocracy and the hypocrisy of religious leaders. A push to end the privileges of the upper class and instead ensure fairness for the struggling middle class. Freedom from spiritual darkness and oppression. Critical thinking and the bettering of the mind. A turn away from the extravagant opulence of the Baroque Period . Ideals of democracy and independence took hold. The American and French Revolutions turned monarchies on their heads. Music played an important role in the Age of Enlightenment. It was considered an integral and important part of a nation's culture. It helped unify troops, spread ideals of democracy, and rejoice in military victory. Operas had plots that mocked the aristocracy and songs...

Image via Wikipedia (Large text for class projection) BAROQUE ERA (1600-1750) Text: Kamien: A Music Appreciation Review Major Characteristics of Baroque Music (pg 97) Mood Rhythm Terraced Dynamics Polyphonic Texture Monophonic in Opera Chords and Basso Continuo Text and Music Musical Form: How music is organized Movements Many compositions of the Baroque era had several movements. For example, a Bach suite had several movements, each representing a dance style popular in the Baroque Era. Usually there is a pause between movements. In a suite, the different movements usually contrasted. There might be a quick and happy movement, a slower movement, a rousing fast movement. Musical expressions: Vivace Allegro Moderato Andante Largo Concerto Gross0 and Ritonello (pg 103) The concerto grosso usually had a small group of soloists musically pitted against the orchestra. (Remember at this time, the orchestra was made of roughly thirty players). The entire orchestra playing is called ...

Cover of Barbara Strozzi (Text in Large print for classroom projection) Intro to Baroque Music Composers: Handel, Purcell, Corelli, Vivaldi, Monteverdi Three periods of Baroque Early period Italian composers created the form of opera. Essentially opera involves a dramatic play entirely sung. It can be sung in a variety of languages. Often operas had lavish sets and costumes. Review this version of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas : http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=23802943 And review this version of Monteverdi's Orfeo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb2TURdBeEQ Early Baroque Composers wrote more in homophonic style than polyphonic style of the Renaissance. However, the later Baroque found a return to strong polyphony. Early Baroque composers used homophony to help the audience better understand the text spoken. Early Baroque Characteristics Homophonic More dissonance Contrast Importance of text Monteverdi Monteverdi enjoyed financial support for...

(Text in LARGE print for classroom projection) BAROQUE ERA 1600-1750 Following the Protestant Reformation and the Renaissance , Europe experienced a time of absolute monarchy and luxury abandon referred to as the Baroque Period. "Baroque" has been associated with overly ornamental and elaborate art. Artists and musicians found that they had new patrons in the middle class , as well as royalty. The new middle class was made up of merchants, professionals, and successful businessmen. Monarchs like Louis the XIV attempted to impress through lavish parties and ridiculously large castles like Versailles . Absolute monarchs enjoyed throwing lavish celebrations, commissioning works like ballets, operas, and plays. They employed musicians like Bach to create these works. Architecture of the time was extravagant to a fault. Baroque Art The Art of the Baroque period experimented with contrast of colors and light, as well as imbuing art with seduction and sexuality, even in regards...

Image via Wikipedia Many listeners are used to opera having grandiose costuming , lavish sets, and incredible theater design. Many Baroque operas (like Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and Monteverdi 's Orfeo ) have been revived using contemporary dance , sparse stage design , and unique artistic interpretation. Review this version of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas And review this version of Monteverdi's Orfeo : How do these contemporary versions of Baroque operas compare to the composers' original intent? Do you think that these performances are successful? Why or why not? A side note about opera, just like American musicals, an opera cannot be truly appreciated unless it is experienced in person. If you have not had an opportunity to see an opera in person or cannot afford opera tickets, contact your local university music department and find out when they have their next opera production. University tickets are usually quite minimal. You can also contact a profe...

Cover of John Rutter As we begin to study Baroque large scale choral works and sacred music (ex. cantatas and oratorios ), you might notice a huge difference between the music heard in contemporary cantatas and those of the Baroque. Some of these differences are because: Amateur musicians The publishing machine (which, once again, is based on sales and not good music) Poor training in the parts of composers Music software Many contemporary religious institutions can not handle Bach's work unless there is an impressive music ministry budget with a fully-trained music director, orchestra, and choir. Many church choirs are comprised of dedicated volunteers who may or may not have musical talent. Additionally, music publishing companies have a tendency to sell musical slosh that is easy to play, unimaginative, and elementary. Choral arrangers have a tendency to rely on software to create their music. I firmly believe that a good composer can write good music, no matter what the leve...