History (Baroque)
History of Music 14C-20C – Baroque
Music really came into flower as classical music mainly because of the use of the orchestra and the decorative, elaborate and ornamental style. Music, literature, art and architecture all blossomed together during this period. Composers for the first time began to be employed by royalty and the wealthy families of the time which gave composers whole new fields of exploration and experimentation without the rules imposed by the earlier religious culture.
Monteverdi, Alessandro Scarlatti, Corelli, Buxtehude, Purcell and Lully were all leading lights in the 17th century but later composers such as J.S. Bach, (pictured) (Brandenbourg Concertos) Handel, (Water Music) Vivaldi (Four Seasons) and Rameau, Telemann and Pachelbel (Canon in D) made even greater impressions in the first half of the 18th century.
Forms included Preludes Fugues, Toccatas, Suites, Theme & Variations often using Binary and Ternary Forms and ‘Counterpoint’ where 2 or more melodic lines were played simultaneously was a common feature particularly in the Fugal form (A fugue is a form of music with many voices based on a single melody, repeated and developed in various ways).
The modern Orchestra (more or less as we know it) was now born, along with Opera (including the Overture, Prelude, Aria, Chorus and Recitative). The Concerto and the Sonata appeared (although not quite as they evolved during the classical period) and also the modern Cantata. There were also important developments among instruments as the renaissance instruments of the Viol family were superseded by the Violin, Viola, Cello etc. Then of course was the invention of the Harpsichord which became the major keyboard instrument of the baroque. By the 18th century the old modes began to be replaced by major/minor scales and instrumental music became more important. Music now was secularised and Spinets (keyboards) found their way into wealthy households and musicians were employed in various formats at all sorts of social and domestic occasions.
More composers of the Baroque period
Click here to reveal more…