MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD

(1685-1750)
 BAROQUE

•Is from the Portuguese word barroco,

which means “misshapen pearl”
•It was use to refer to ornate and heavily
ornamented music of this period.
•A dominant musical
characteristic of the Baroque
period is the Basso Continuo
(Figure Bass)
 BASSO CONTINUO
•A sort of musical shorthand that
provides the framework for
playing the bass line of the
piece.
MUSIC GENRES
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
 A. FUGUE
•A composition or part of a
composition in which the
subject is repeated or answered
by several parts.
 B. SUITE

•A piece or composition usually

for dance.
 C. CONCERTO GROSSO

•A full orchestra concerto.

 D. CONCERTO

•An ensemble or composition for

one or more solo instruments or
voices.
 E. SONATA

•A piece played on one or more

instruments.
VOCAL MUSIC
 A. ORATORIO

•A dramatic composition for solo

singer, chorus, and instruments
with biblical or religious
subjects.
 B. CHORAL

•A composition for voices in

strophic hymn tunes used in the
German Lutheran Church.
 C. CANTATA

•A composition for solo voice

with aria and recitatives.
 D. OPERA

•A dramatic stage composition

usually in two or more acts.
MUSIC COMPOSERS
GEORGES FRIDERIC HANDEL

•Born on February 23, 1685 and

Died on April 14,, 1759.
•He took music lesson under
Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, a
church music director and
organist in his native town Halle
•Handel matured as a composer
in England, where its choral
tradition made Handel’s
oratorio’s possible.
•In 1703-1706, Handel moved to
Hamburg, Germany and stayed
there until 1706.
•It was in Hamburg where he
composed his first opera “Almira”
•He performed “Almira at Hamburg
Opera House in 1705.
•He lived in Italy from 1706-1710 and
was recognized as one of the upcoming
young composers.
•He was later regarded as Europe’s
leading composer.
 JOHAN SEBASTIAN BACH
•He was born on March 21.
1685- and died on July 8, 1750..
•He came from the family of
musician, he was trained by his
father and his elder brother
Johann Christoph.
•Bach’s best known works for
clavier is “Wohltemperirte
Claiver” (The Well-Tempered
Clavier)
•Another composition of Bach is
the choral chorus “Jesu, Joy of
Man’s Desiring”
He also composed “Brandenburg
Concertos”
His works are grouped according to
theme, the prefix BWV (Bach-Werke-
Verzeichnis) and the Work’s Number.