Baroque Period

1600-1750
A time for powdered wigs, make-up,
fancy clothes and furniture.
 Doctrine of Affections
 A document that said every form of art
causes us to feel a single powerful emotion
as a result of seeing or hearing a work.
 This document (theory) had a profound
influence on how composers and artist
created during this period.
 The doctrine dictated a new emphasis on
expressing feelings in Art.
Types of Music
1. Church (Sacred) Music
2. Dance Music
Dance music can have several movements for
each type of dance
Allemande is a slow dance
Gigue, pronounced “jig” is a fast dance
 Concerto
3. A concerto is a solo instrument or voice
accompanied by an ensemble such as an
orchestra.
Oratorio
4. An oratorio is a choral
work with an orchestra.
It is similar to an opera
but not acted out with
costumes and props.
Many times the lyrics are
religious or an actual
story from the bible.
Can be many hours long.
 Chamber Music
5. A piece of music
composed for a small
ensemble, like a
quartet (4), trio (3) or
duet (2).
 Cantata
6. A cantata is a church song/hymn.
 Fugue
7. A fugue is a complex
work, where a subject is
heard, and is fought by a
counter-subject. It also
can be thought of as a
“follow the leader” or a
“complex round”.
What is Happening in the World
during the Baroque Period?
 The first English
settlement, Jamestown
is established in
America
 Quebec is founded in
Canada
 Shakespeare’s plays
are the hot ticket in
England
Baroque Composers
Johann Sebastian Bach
Antonio Vivaldi
George Fredric Handel
Henry Purcell
Johann Sebastian Bach
 Very religious man
 Wrote music and
played organ for the
church
 Had 2 wives, and 21
children
 Wrote the famous
“Toccata and Fugue
in D minor” and
“Little Fugue in G
minor”
Antonio Vivaldi
 Was a priest and
worked for the church
 A virtuoso on the
violin
 Wrote “The Four
Seasons” string quartet
George Frederic Handel
 Composed the famous
oratorio, The Messiah
which includes the
Hallelujah Chorus.
 Composed The Royal
Fireworks Music for a
fireworks display in
London, England for
the King
 Buried in Westminster
Abbey
Henry Purcell
 Wrote lots of music
for the stage.
 Benjamin Britten
used his theme to
compose the
“Young Person’s
Guide to the
Orchestra”
Baroque Music!
 Fugue in G Minor “The
Little”
 Toccata and Fugue in D
Minor
 Four Seasons
(Spring/Winter)
 Hallelujah Chorus
 Music for the Royal
Fireworks (Overture
Solenelle: 1812)