3. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
• The Baroque music begins in 1600 (birth
of the opera) and ends with the death of
J.S. Bach (1750).
• The word “Baroque” was a derogatory
term that meant “irregular pearl”.
4. SOCIETY
• The bourgeoisie continued to gain importance in
the cities.
• The absolute monarchy is the most widespread
form of government in Europe. The king is the
chief of state and doesn’t have to be
accountable to anyone in his decisions.
• The music served the biggest European
monarchies, the aristocrats and the Church,
that used it as a demonstration of their power.
• The role of a musician is reduced to a servant of
his patron.
5. ART
The Baroque is characterized by: many
adornment, movement, contrast and
“horror vacui” (fear of empty space).
• In painting the Baroque artists
achieve perfection: Velázquez
manages to paint moving air and
Europe surrenders to Rembrandt.
• In architecture they abandon the
straight line, prevailing the curved
lines.
• In sculpture, they search the
movement and continue with the
religious theme.
6. DISCOVER HOW IT SOUNDS
a) This music uses the basso continuo (or figured bass) that is a support of
chords to the melody where an instrument (generally the harpsichord)
produces these chords in a constant manner. This results in a new
texture: the melody with accompaniment.
Therefore, which of these fragments are Baroque?
1st fragment................. 2nd fragment............... 3rd fragment................
b) The rhythm is mechanic without hardly any alterations to the pulse.
According to this,whic of these pieces are Baroque?
1st fragment................. 2nd fragment............... 3rd fragment................
c) Utilization of the concertato style, that consists of contrasting distinct
sound masses.
You are going to hear two examples of this characteristic.
1. In this example, say what instruments form the smallest group.
* Violín, flute and harpsichord
* Trumpet, oboe and harpsichord
2. In this example, say how the two sound masses are composed.
* Large group: mixed choir / masculine choir
* Small group: Countertenor + woodwinds / soprano + violin
7. DISCOVER HOW IT SOUNDS
d) It's a very decorated music.
Consequently, listen to these fragments and mark those that are baroque.
1st fragment................. 2nd fragment............... 3rd fragment................
e) It uses 'terraced dynamics', that is, the changes of the intensity are
produced suddenly and not progressively.
Mark the correct answer for every fragment:
1) Baroque / Not Baroque 2) Baroque / Not Baroque 3) Baroque / Not Baroque
f) It consolidates the concept of 'tonality', that is to say, a system where
there is a predominance of some sounds compared to others inside
the same scale.
Say which of the following works are tonal.
1st fragment.......... 2nd fragment...........
3rd fragment.......... 4th fragment...........
8. THE INSTRUMENTS
IN THE BAROQUE
• From 1600, instrumental music is as
important as vocal music.
• Many of the Renaissance instruments
stopped being used, others were
improved. The new ones are the family of
violin, the harpsichord, the oboe, the
bassoon and the timpani.
10. THE BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
• The concept of orchestra appears now,
and It isn't a set of instruments together
by chance, but a group designed,
where the strings will soon be the
dominant family of the whole.
• Compared with a modern orchestra,
the baroque orchestra is small and of
variable composition, but already
includes the sections of strings,
woodwinds, brass and percussion.
There is still no conductor.
• Say which of the following orchestras
are Baroque and which aren’t,
according to their sound.
1: 2: 3: 4:
11. Vocal music
The
OPERA
is born in
Italy
PROFANE
RELIGIOUS VOCAL
MUSIC
In Germany
The
CANTATA
ZARZUELA
ORATORY is born in Spain
PASSION
12. VOCAL MUSIC LISTENING EXERCISE
“La Serva Padrona”, by G.B. PERGOLESI
RECITATIVE: it is a mixture between reciting and singing, with
accompaniment of figured bass (recitativo secco) or orchestra
(recitativo acompagnato)
ARIA: it is a solo or duet part, where the singers show off their
talent.
1. In the first fragment, which voices are singing?
a) A soprano and a baritone b) A soprano and a bass
2. What instruments are accompaning the voices? Select them :
CELLO – TRUMPET – VIOLIN – HARPSICHORD – BASSOON - FLUTE
3. In the second fragment, ¿who is singing, a soprano or a
contralto?
4. What instruments accompany the singer?
a) Haprsichord + wind b) Strings orchestra c) Harpsichord + strings orchestra
5. What have we first listened to: the recitative or the aria?
13. Instrumental Music
SUITE:
It’s a group of dances with different character. The more frequent dances are:
allemande, polonaise, sarabande, minuet, bourré, etc.
FUGUE:
It is a form in counterpoint style: a theme is exposed by one of the voices and
imitated later by the other voices.
CONCERTO:
Concerto grosso: when the contrast is produced between a group of soloists
(concertino) and the rest of the orchestra (tutti).
Solo concerto: when only one soloist contrasts with the orchestra
14. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LISTENING EXERCISE
“Brandenburg Concert No. 2 (Allegro)”
by J.S. BACH
1. What kind of concert is this composition?
a) Solo concerto b) Concerto grosso
2. In general, wehat texture predominates?
a) Conunterpoint b) Monophony c) Homophony
3. What instruments form the concertino?
- Harpsichord, doublebass, viola and cello.
- Violin, oboe, flute and trumpet.
- Clarinet, violin, cello and harpsichord.
4. What instruments is the figured bass played by?
a) Harpsichord and double bass b) Harpsichord and violin
5. Which instruments families form the tutti? ………………………
6. How is the dynamics in this composition?
a) Gradual b) Terraced
16. • The contents in this presentation have only a
didactic nature.
• The images have been obtained using the
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• If you have any problem with the copyright of the
elements included here, please contact me and
they will be deleted.
• Of course, this presentation can be used by any
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pedagogical purposes.
Cristina Martínez Peces
Music teacher in IES Rafael Alberti,
Cádiz, Spain
