The influence of the royal courts in the Baroque
time of absolute monarchs
courts as well as churches patron of arts
composers influenced by doctrine of affections
in all, contrast and illusion dominiate
Doctrine of Affections
Wonder, love, hatred, desire, joy, sadness
Composers especially interested in greek tragedies
Claudio Monterverdi- Ofero, The very first opera
Henry Purcell-dido and aneas, a ground bass aria.
Orchestral Forms
Concerto, Concerto Grosso, and Overture
Concerto
Written for orchestra plus 1 soloist
Overture
orchestra alone
Toccata
Freeform key board. meant to show off virtuosity
Prelude
often began suites. no strict form or procedure. Usually paired with Fugue
Chorale Prelude
Prelude based on Lutheran chorale
Fantasie
no rules or conventions. longer than written works, written in continuous style.
Fugue
Polyphonic. rigid rules. often paired with prelude.
Cantata
used soloists, choir and orchestra. Portray the scenes/situations. usually 20-30 minutes long
Oratario
Usually sacred texts, but intended for concert performance. usually sacred/ religious narrative often from the bible, 2-3 hours
Opera
Musical theater. singer dominate, accompanied by orchestra
Basso Continuo
Harpischord and cello usually, sometimes (not often) basoon and harpischord.
sonata
solo and basso continuo
Aria
Song, strong beat, structural, long, lots of repetition, emotion
Recitative
Solo voice, like reciting, no beat, words with no notes, performer is free to speed up or slow down or change notes. no repetition. very short advances
G.F. Handel
1685-1759
German
Composer
Went blind
married twice, 20 kids, 9 died in infancy
never married
traveled a lot
wrote masses of opera
Celebrity
J.S. Bach
1685-1750
German
composer
went blind
Never traveled
never wrote and opera