Features of Baroque Music

Question 1

When was the baroque period?

Answer 1

1600-1750

Question 2

What key event happened in 1685

Answer 2

Johann Sebastian Bach was born

Question 3

Who were the key composers of the baroque period

Answer 3

Vivaldi - the four seasons
Bach - st Matthew passion,
Handel - the Messiah, water music

Question 4

What are the features of a baroque orchestra

Answer 4

Mainly made up of strings
Also wind instruments such as recorders flutes and horns
Always a harpsichord

Question 5

Why is a harpsichord important to baroque music

Answer 5

Every baroque orchestra has an harpsichord

Question 6

Explain the ornamentation in baroque music

Answer 6

Baroque music has extensive ornamentation
The French baroque of ornamentation is called agrément
There are many trills (shakes)
turns (grouppetto)
Mordent or lower mordent
grace notes (appoggiatura)
Acciaccatura (short appoggiatura or grace note)

Question 7

What is basso continuo

Answer 7

A harpsichord and a bass instrument who performs the bass line of a piece of music
Harpsichord can be substituted by an organ in a church or cathedral or a lute if required

Question 8

Explain terrace dynamics

Answer 8

This means music alternated between forte or piano without crescendo or diminuendo

Question 9

Explain diatonic harmonics

Answer 9

This means there is very little chromatic movement at all

Question 10

What is usually in a baroque orchestra

Answer 10

2 oboes
2 clarinets
A small number of strings
Some brass- fanfares, French horns, trumpets and trombones

Question 11

What is figured bass

Answer 11

Numbers underneath the bass line

Question 12

What are most important works of Mozart

Answer 12

Serenade no 13. - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 1787
Symphony no40 1st Movement Allegro
Clarinet concerto - this made the clarinet an important orchestra piece
The Magic Flute - this is the first musical or singspiel
Requiem = he wrote it on his death bed and was completed after he died

Question 13

Important Mozart facts

Answer 13

Born January 27 1756 Salzburg, Austria
Died December 5 1791 aged 35
1762 aged 7 writes 1st symphony
1767 by age11 composed first 4 piano concertos
1770 composes first opera
1773 court musician in Salzburg
1776 writes 5 violin concertos
1778 becomes freelance
1779 composes symphony 31 Paris
1780 returns to Salzburg becomes an organist - composes opera “Zaide”
1786 Haydn describes him as greater composer known
1790 composes opera concerto and Requiem which is unfinished st his death

Question 14

Name 3 prominent composers of classical era

Answer 14

Mozart
Bach
Haydn