The Baroque Period - Study Guide

The Baroque Period

Study Guide

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As you go through this study guide, make sure you listen to each musical example.​

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When was the baroque era?

Multiple Choice

Early baroque music was mostly __________ in texture.

• monophonic

• homophonic

• polyphonic

Multiple Choice

Later baroque music was mostly __________ in texture

• monophonic

• homophonic

• polyphonic

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The level of volume tends to stay constant for periods of time, then suddenly shift, like stepping from one level to another. This alternation between loud and soft is known as

.

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Meaning "refrain," this repeated section of music is usually played by the full orchestra, or tutti, in baroque compositions.

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Baroque accompaniment made up of a bass part, usually played by two instruments: a keyboard plus a low melodic instrument.

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A Baroque composition written for several solo instruments and accompanying orchestra.

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A musical piece that sounds complete and independent, but is part of a larger composition.

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The full orchestra, or a large group of musicians contrasted with a smaller group of soloists.

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A polyphonic composition based on one main theme, or subject.

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A drama that is sung to orchestral accompaniment.

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The text or script of an opera.

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The libretto is usually written by the

.

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A vocal line that imitates the rhythms and pitch fluctuations of speech.

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A song in an opera for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment.

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A short musical composition, purely orchestral which opens an opera and sets the overall dramatic mood.

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A group of nobles, poets, and composers whose musical discussions prepared the way for the beginning of opera.

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The stories for early opera were taken from

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The earliest opera that has been preserved, Euridice, was composed by

.

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This monumental figure in music history formed a musical bridge between the 16th and 17th centuries and is known as the first composer of operatic masterpieces.

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Monteverdi's first and best-known opera was

.

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Known as the greatest of English composers, he mastered all the musical forms of the late 17th century and wrote the operatic masterpiece, "Dido and Aeneas."

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A musical idea in which the bass is repeated over and over while the melodies above it change.

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An instrumental composition in several movements for 1 - 8 players. This takes on a more restrictive meaning after the baroque era.

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A multi-movement composition written for three melodic lines, but performed by four musicians: two high, each played by one instrument; and a basso continuo, played by two instrument.

La Primavera (Spring) by Antonio Vivaldi

Vivaldi's most popular work is the concerto La Primavera (Spring) from The Four Seasons.

This is an example of baroque program music, an instrumental piece associated with a story, poem, idea, or scene.

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An instrumental composition associated with a story, poem, idea, or scene is known as

.

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Johann Sebastian Bach created masterpieces in every baroque form except

.

FYI... Historians tend to mark the year of Bach's death as the end of the baroque era.

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What was Bach's religious affiliation?

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A set of dance-inspired movements all written in the same key but differing in tempo, meter, and character.

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A harmonized hymn tune that is sung to a German religious text.

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A short composition for organ, based on a hymn tune and used to remind the congregation of the melody before the hymn is sung.

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A composition in several movements written for chorus (choir), vocal soloists, and instrumental ensemble. These were played during Sunday Lutheran services.

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In 1733, Bach wrote the first two sections (Kyrie and Gloria) of

as a way to convince a Catholic monarch to make him court composer.

Fugue in G Minor

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Fugue in D minor

Fugue in C Minor

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​BACH FUGUES

​Examples of Bach's Chorales

Mvt. I - Overture

Mvt. II - Air​

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Mvt. V - Gigue

​Excerpts from Bach's Suite No. 3 in D Major

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A large-scale composition for chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra, usually set to a narrative text, but without acting, scenery, or costumes; often based on biblical stories.

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This German-born composer spent the majority of his career in London, where he became incredibly popular.

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Although Handel wrote many styles of baroque music, he is most known for his Italian operas and

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Handel's best-known work is his oratorio

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What is the narrative of Handel's Messiah?

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Part I of Handel's Messiah is most played during

.

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Part II of Handel's Messiah is most played during

.

Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted from Handel's Messiah

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For unto Us a Child Is Born from Handel's Messiah

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Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah

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Also by Handel: Joy to the World

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Written Response

Be able to answer any of the following using complete, thoughtful sentences. Be thorough in your responses.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

• In your own words, describe the baroque style.​

• Compare and contrast baroque opera and baroque oratorio

• Why was Claudio Monteverdi such a significant composer?

• Explain the Camerata's role in the development of opera? What did they hope to accomplish?

• How does Bach use rhythm to create unity of mood in his music?​

• Why were the subjects of early opera on Greek and Roman mythology?

Explain the following characteristics of baroque music:

• Unity of Mood

• Rhythm

• Melody

• Dynamics

• Texture

• Chords and Basso Continuo

• Words and Music

Describe the follwing elements of a fugue:

• Subject

• Answer

• Countersubject

• Episodes

• Stretto

• Pedal Point