Baroque

Question 1

period?

Answer 1

around 1600-1750

Question 2

recognised with what qualities?

Answer 2

fancy, detailed, emotional

Question 3

often written for?

Answer 3

church (sacred), royalty or public (secular)

Question 4

per every piece made, has a mood called?

Answer 4

affection

Question 5

features?

Answer 5

-contrast: solo/group or loud/soft
-basso continuo: steady bass line usually played by harpsichord and or cello
-clear major and minor keys
-decorative melodies and ornamentation

Question 6

instruments? (3-5)

Answer 6

violin, harpsichord, cello, organ, recorder, trumpet (natural, without valves)

Question 7

forms?

Answer 7

-concerto: a piece for solo instrument with orchestra accompaniment
-fugue: a piece where the same melody is repeated and layered
-suite: group of dance pieces played together
-opera: drama with acting, singing and music
-oratorio: opposite of opera, only singing and music; often religious

Question 8

composers?

Answer 8

Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel, Antonio Vivaldi

Question 9

famous pieces of each?

Answer 9

JSB–Fugue in D minor/Toccata
GFH–Messiah (Hallelujah Chorus)
AV–The Four Seasons

Question 10

brief biography of JSB

Answer 10

-born Germany, 1685-1750
-musical family
-worked as church organist, composer and music teacher
-wrote for church, royalty, and teaching
-famous after death for skillful and complex music

Question 11

characteristics of JSB’s music

Answer 11

-polyphonic texture–many musical lines played at the same time
-strong structure–carefully organised and balanced
-basso continuo–used is most of his pieces
-emotional and expressive–shows mood clearly even without words

Question 12

brief biography of GFH

Answer 12

-born Germany 1685-1759, worked there and in Italy and mostly England
-famous for operas and oratorios
-wrote for kings, churches and public
-famous for Messiah, inclusive of Hallelujah Chorus

Question 13

characteristics of GFH?

Answer 13

-dramatic and powerful–written to impress and move audience
-clear melodies–easy to follow and sing
-strong rhythms–often bold and energetic
-contrast–used soft and loud parts to create excitement

Question 14

characteristics of baroque?

Answer 14

-basso continuo–steady bass line played by instruments like harpsichord and cello; gives strong and steady foundation
-contrast–music changes between loud/soft or solo/group; makes music more exciting and dramatic

Question 15

ornamentation purpose?

Answer 15

extra notes to decorate melody, making it sound fancy and exciting

Question 16

ornaments of baroque?

Answer 16

-trill–quickly switch between 2 notes next to each other
-turn–play a group of notes that go above and below the main note
-appoggiatura–a small note played before main note, leaned into for expression

Question 17

what is mood (affection)?

Answer 17

-each piece or movement shows 1 feeling (happy, sad, angry etc.)
-helped listeners clearly feel the emotion in the music