Baroque Flashcards
(13 cards)
What years mark the beginning and end of the Baroque era?
1600-1750
What is the origin and meaning of the word “Baroque”?
from the Portuguese term “barroco,” meaning “irregular pearl.”
Who are two key composers of the Baroque period?
Bach and Handel
What are three stylistic features that characterize Baroque music?
basso continuo, ornamentation, and contrast in dynamics and texture.
What compositional technique involving interwoven melodies is Bach known for mastering?
counterpoint.
What is the name of Vivaldi’s most famous work
“The Four Seasons,” a set of violin concertos.
program music.
music that tells a story or represents an idea without words?
What does the term “terraced dynamics” mean in Baroque music?
refer to sudden changes between loud and soft volume levels without gradual transitions.
What are the main characteristics of Baroque music, and how do they differ from Renaissance music?
Baroque music features strong contrast, ornamentation, basso continuo, and expressive melodies, often with a clear sense of tonality.
-Renaissance music emphasized modal harmony, smooth polyphony, and balanced textures with less dynamic contrast.
Explain how Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos demonstrate Baroque musical style.
showcase Baroque traits such as
-ritornello form,
-energetic rhythms,
-contrast between soloists and ensemble,
-intricate counterpoint
How does Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons exemplify program music?
uses musical imagery to depict seasonal scenes, such as birdsong in spring or storms in summer, aligning with accompanying sonnets, thus telling a story or representing nature without words.
What impact did Baroque music have on later periods, such as the Classical era?
Baroque music established the tonal system, developed forms like the concerto and fugue, and inspired structured contrast and expressive possibilities that Classical composers expanded into symphonies and sonatas.
Describe how Baroque music reflects the artistic and architectural trends of the time.
Baroque art and architecture, is ornate, dramatic, and emotionally expressive. It reflects grandeur, complexity, and contrast—mirroring the decorative detail and dynamic forms seen in Baroque churches and palaces.
