AoS2 Baroque Concerto Grosso

Question 1

Baroque Period

Answer 1

Music Period from 1600-1750.

Question 2

Harpsichord

Answer 2

Plucked keyboard instruments common in Baroque music.

Question 3

Basso Continuo (or Continuo)

Answer 3

Continuous bass accompaniment (usually harpsichord and cello) found in Baroque music.

The Cello reads the notes of the bass line and the Harpsichord improvises chords from the numbers on the score (or figured bass).

Question 4

Concertino

Answer 4

The name for a group of solo instruments in a Concerto Grosso.

Question 5

Ripieno

Answer 5

the larger of the 2 ensembles in the Baroque Concerto Grosso, all others not playing the solo

Question 6

Concerto Grosso

Answer 6

A piece of Baroque music written for a group of solo instruments (concertino) and the rest of the orchestra (Ripieno).

This is the Allegro (fast) section from a Concerto Grosso written by Corelli.

Listen to how there is imitation between the Orchestra (Ripieno) and the solo instruments (concertino).

Question 7

Solo Instruments

Answer 7

Any combination of three or four flutes, recorders, violins and cellos.

Question 8

Polyphonic Texture

Answer 8

Two or more different melodies playing at the same time.

Listen to how the different musical phrases overlap in this example of Polyphonic texture from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. A famous Baroque Concerto Grosso.

Question 9

Musical Sequence

Answer 9

Musical sequence is when a passage of music is repeated at a higher or lower pitch. It is often found in Baroque music.

Listen to the clip from a Concerto Grosso by Corelli.

The initial phrase from the Repieno is imitated by the Concertino (soloists). This phrase is then repeated at a higher pitch creating a sequence.

Question 10

1 / This musical extract is taken from a Baroque Concerto Grosso. From your knowledge of this style of music, identify six features which are typical of this style.

2/ What is the name of the solo instrument at the start of the extract?

3/ Name a possible composer for this piece of music?

Answer 10

1/ The typical musical features include:

i/ Polyphonic (contrapuntal) texture at the start of the extract.

ii/ A Harpsichord (Continuo part).

iii/ Terraced or stepped dynamics.

iv/ A small orchestra.

v/ The use of imitation and melodic sequences.

vi/ A combination of solo instruments (concertino) and the rest of the orchestra (ripieno).

2/ Violin

3/ Handel (or Bach, Corelli and Vivaldi)