Professional Documents
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Larocque
(Joseph)
Defining “Baroque”
Derived from the Italian “barocco,” meaning
“bizarre.”
The term was coined in the 1860s to describe the
architecture of 17th and 18th century Italy, Germany,
and Austria.
It began to hold its modern meaning sometime in the
mid-1900s.
Background & Historical
Context
Outside of the musical world…
Art – Rembrandt
Literature – Shakespeare (died early in the period)
Science – Galileo (early in the period); also, the
Catholic church was attempting to ban the ideas of
Copernicus…heliocentric universe.
Philosophy – Descartes, Wolff
Background & Historical
Context
The Protestant Reformation (1517), spearheaded by
Martin Luther, greatly influenced the religious
“tide.” The Lutheran church made high use of the
chorale as a form of worship music.
In Germany, the church was one of the driving forces
behind the creation of music.
The other major force behind new music was patrons
– wealthy members of society (typically dukes or
other high ranking officials), who kept court
musicians/composers, and commissioned musical
pieces in exchange for room, funding/pay, etc.
Background & Historical
Context
In England, the 1600s brought about a great deal of
political turmoil.
1649 Kings Charles I is put on trial and executed by
Parliament.
The Commonwealth is established, and in 1653, Oliver
Cromwell becomes Lord Protector…his short reign
ended with the restoration of the monarchy;
however….
The restored monarchs, Charles II, and later James II,
were not that popular either, so…
Background & Historical
Context
Parliament ousted James II and called upon his
daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange
to reign.
They reigned jointly beginning in 1689.
Queen Mary’s death in the 1690s left a hole in the
heart of the country.
The composer, Henry Purcell was called upon to write
the Queen’s funeral ode.
NOTE: Queen Mary II (referenced above) is not the
queen known as “Bloody Mary.” Queen Mary I
reigned over a century previous.
Background & Historical
Context
Composers travelled all over Europe; this was
known as the Grand Tour. It was customary to visit,
stay with, and study under other composers. As a
result, many stylistic differences were passed
between people, and thus integrated into different
musical traditions from country to country. Also,
this helped create a universal baroque vocabulary.
Europe in the Baroque
Characteristics of the Period
Contrast used as a dramatic element…
Differences between loud/soft, soloists/ensembles,
various instruments, etc.
Composers become more precise about
instrumentation than in previous periods, that is,
they often dictated what instrument was to be used
for a piece, rather than allowing the musician(s) to
decide.
Characteristics of the Period
Basso continuo or continuo – a bass part underlying
a piece of concerted music, which is to be played on
a keyboard instrument, as well as a sustaining string
or wind instrument.
Favoring of the harpsichord; the strings are plucked
and the musician cannot alter the volume through
touch.
High popularity and use of the violin.
Characteristics of the Period
In Germany, counterpoint and fugue are the focus,
therefore, the organ and voice are of high
importance.
In Italy, the sonata and concerto are being formalized
and popularized.