UNIT TWO:THE BAROQUE PERIOD 1600 -1750
The time of turbulence, contrasts, and changes. These qualities are reflected in the art and music of the period. Birthday of opera and death of J.S. Bach. In between many new forms, genres, and textures emerged and new instruments were developed. The crystallization of the major-minor system provided the harmonic backbone of Baroque style. Patronage of the arts was an essential factor in shaping the lives and careers of composers in the 18th century. Artist and musicians relied on the generous support of patrons from different segments of society:aristocracy, the church, the state.. artists were often provided not only with monetary compensation, but also with security ,lodging, and opportunities to develop artistically.
TERMS:
Baroque– from Portuguese means irregular shaped or misshapen pearl;1st used as a derogatory term in reference to the overly ornate art of the era;applied to art,architecture,and music of the 17th and early 18th.
Major-minor tonality– music based on major(Ionian) and minor(Aeolian) scales;replaced by the modal language;serves as the foundation for musical composition.\figured bass- type of musical shorthand development in the baroque era;numbers are placed below the bass line to show harmonic progression;realized” by basso continuo;provides the structure for guided improvisation.
Basso continuo– baroque performance practice;involves 2 performers- 1 playing the notated bass line and 1 realizing the harmonies as indicated by the figured bass;usually played on harpsichord or organ;provides harmonic framework.equal temperament- method of tuning keyboard instrument; all semitones within the ovate are divided equally ; crated enharmonic equivalents(C sharp/D flat)
Terraced dynamics– baroque practice of changing dynamics abruptly; results in stark contrast rather have gradual change.
The “affections”– inspired by ancient Greek and Roman writers and orators; refers to emotional states of the soul;in baroque means one clear emotion is usually projected an entire composition or movement;vocal music depicted the emotions of the text or dramatic situation;was a reaction against the complex polyphony of renaissance music;also referred to as the “doctrine of affections”.
Word painting – musical pictorialization; music mirrors the literal meaning of the words; achieved through melody, rhythm or harmony
Idiomatic writing- the unique technical capabilities of an instrument are highlighter; opposite of “generic”;developed in Baroque era.
Binary form– 2 parts (AB);A ends with open cadence; used frequently in baroque dances and keyboard pieces set in Baroque arias.
Ternary form(ABA)– B3 parts; B creates more contrast in key and/or material;often used in baroque arias.
Homophonic texture – melody with accompanied harmony; single voice takes over the melodic interest and melody is accompanied; melody on RH and LH has chords; its based on harmony.
Polyphonic texture- many voices , 1 or 2 or more melodic lines are combined; its based on counter points means note against note
The Blog
BAROQUE PERIOD 1600- 1750
ENSEMBLES
CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Chorus– large group of singers.
Choir- small group, church of sacred music.
Madrigal choir– perform without accompaniment,”part of song”
Chamber choir– Capella; no accompaniment or piano; 24 singers.
Homogeneous– only men voice.
Heterogeneous– others featuring instruments from diff. Families.
CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLE:
String quartet:violin,violin,viola,cello.
Sting quintet: violin,violin,cello,viola,viola.
Piano trio: piano,violin,cello.
String trio: violin,violin or viola,cello.
Woodwind quintet: flute , oboe,clarinet,bassoon,French horn(bass instrument)
Duos: piano, solo instrument.
Piano quintet: piano , violin,violin,viola,cello.
Piano quartet: piano,violin,viola,cello.
Brass quintet: trumpet,trumpet,French horn,trombone,tuba.
(India strings and percussion ensemble; China: plucked, bowed+flutes)
INSTRUMENTS
PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT-accentuate rhythm;more excitement;two categories:definite pitch,indefinite pitch.
Timpani(kettledrums)-played insets of 2 or 4;has hemispheric copper shell head stretched of plastic or calfskin place by a metal ring;pedal changes tension of head;played by 2 padded sticks;arrived in western Europe from middle east.
Xylophone– used in Africa,southeast Asia, Americas;consists tuned blocks of wood or metal shaped like a keyboard;struck with mallets with hard head
Marimba– mellow xylophone in Africa origin.
Vibraphone– in jazz;xylophones with resonators containing disks operated by electric motors that exaggerate vibrato.
Glockenspiel(set of bells)– horizontal steel bars of various sizes struck produce bright,metallic sound.
Celesta – kinda glockenspiel operated by means of a keyboard;resemble miniature upright piano;steel plates struck by small hammers.
Chimes or tubular bells– sets of tuned metal tubes of various lengths suspended from frame;struck with hammer;simulate church bell.
Indefinite:
Snare drum(side drum)- small cylindrical drum with 2 heads(top and bottom);played with 2 drumsticks;vibrates lower heard against taut snares(strings)
Tenor drum– larger in size,has wooden shell,no snares.
Bass drum– played larger soft headed sticks;produce low , heavy sound.
Tom-tom– native American or African drum.
Tambourine- round,hand-held drum with “jingles”(little metals plates inserted in rim);can be stroke by fingers or elbow,shake it, pass hand over the jingles.
Castanets- originated in Spain; little wooden clappers moved by player’s thrums and forefinger
Triangle– slender rod of steel bent into 3 cornered shape;struck by steel beater.
Cymbals– originated from central Asia in middle ages;arrived to west;2 large circular brass plates of equal sizes, struck against each other.
Gong(tam-tam)– circular disk of metal suspended in frame to hang freely;struck with heavy drumstick,deep roar;southeast Asia and far east known gamelan instrument.
KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT
Organ– a keyboard back to the middle ages often associates with church music;sound is generated by air passing through pipes or reeds.
Harpsichord– a keyboard popular from the late 16th through 18th centuries; sound is generated by small quills inside the instrument that pluck the strings.
Clavichord- a small keyboard popular from late 16th through 18th centuries; sound is generated by small metal tangents that strike the strings inside the instruments.
Piano- keyboard instrument invented early 18th century;sound is generated by hammers inside the instrument that strike the string.
Synthesizer- a device (usually played with a keyboard) that generates and modifies sounds electronically.Robert Moog popularized the synthesizer in the 1960.
(idiophones- sound produced from substance of instrument itself eg.bells,rattles,cymbals,xylophones)
(membranophones- drum-types,sound produced from tightly stretched membranes eg. Drum)
(aerophones- produced sound by using air eg.flutes,whistles,accordions,bagpipes,horns)
(chordophones- produced sound from vibrating string stretched btw 2 points eg.violin,guitar,harp,Japaneses koto)
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INSTRUMENTS
WOODWOND INSTRUMENT– all aerophones, air vibrates within pipe that has finger holes along its length; embouchure- oral mechanism: lips lower jaw and facial muscles.
Flute– blowing across a mouth hole; is soprano voice, cool, expressive and brilliant in upper range; now made of silver alloy rather than wood; is cylindrical tube closed n one end; melody instrument, notes, scales, trills.
Piccolo– little flute; highest pitched instrument in orchestra; well heard even in orchestra ff.
Oboe– blowing into a mouthpiece fitted with double reed; made of wood; pastoral effect and nostalgic moods;
English horn– is an alto of oboe; wooden tube is wider and longer, ends are pear-shaped opening calls bells-soft and expressive sound.
Clarinet- blowing into a single reed mouth piece; chisel-shaped mouth piece; smooth, liquid tone, rapid scales, trills, repeated notes.
Bass clarinet– blowing into single reed mouth piece; octave lower range than clarinet; rich dark tone, wide dynamics range.
Bassoon– double reed instrument; low register tone, reedy;
Contrabassoon– lowest tone of woodwinds; double reed instrument.
Saxophone– blow single red instrument; conical bore and metal body of the brass instrument; common soprano, alto, tenor, baritone; popular music and jazz.
BRASS INSTRUMENT-aerophones; cap shaped mouth piece attached to a metal tubing that flares at the end into a bell;embouchure-oral mechanism lips and lower facial muscle jaw;
Trumpet– highest pitch;brilliant;clear sound;ceremonial display;
French horn– sift passage;RH insert in the bell(hand stops by plugging);blends with wood winds,brasses and strings.
Trombone – larger trumpet;rich tenor range;U shaped slide that alters the length of vibrating air column.
Tuba- is bass instrument;adds depthto orchestra tone; dark resonance ranging from softness to rumbling.
Cornet– marching band.
Bugle– military trumpet,no valves.
Fluegelhorn– valved bugle with wide bell;jazz and brass bands;
Euohonium– tenor range instruments,resemble tuba.
Sousaphone– adaptation of tuba designed by John Philipsousa
STRING INSTRUMENT
UNIT ONE
STRING INSTRUMENT-all chordophones, two types: plucked and bowed.
Violin- 1600 to 1750 in Italy; bowed; brilliant and dramatic effect; nuances of f and p.
Viola-bowed0 ;larger in size than violin; has lower range b/c strings are longer, thicker, heavier; husky lower register; can be double another instrument (octave higher or lower)
Violoncello- bowed; known as cello; lower in range than viola; is for singing quality; resonance of low register.
Double bass- bowed; known as contrabass or bass viol; lowest range in orchestra; supports cello in 8va lower.
Harp – plucked; old instrument in Europe.
Guitar- plucked; old instrument originated in East Europe; lock like is banjo and mandolin.
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THE BAROQUE PERIOD
UNIT TWO:THE BAROQUE PERIOD 1600 -1750
The time of turbulence, contrasts, and changes. These qualities are reflected in the art and music of the period. Birthday of opera and death of J.S. Bach. In between many new forms, genres, and textures emerged and new instruments were developed. The crystallization of the major-minor system provided the harmonic backbone of Baroque style. Patronage of the arts was an essential factor in shaping the lives and careers of composers in the 18th century. Artist and musicians relied on the generous support of patrons from different segments of society:aristocracy, the church, the state.. artists were often provided not only with monetary compensation, but also with security ,lodging, and opportunities to develop artistically.
TERMS:
Baroque- from Portuguese means irregular shaped or misshapen pearl;1st used as a derogatory term in reference to the overly ornate art of the era;applied to art,architecture,and music of the 17th and early 18th.
Major-minor tonality- music based on major(Ionian) and minor(Aeolian) scales;replaced by the modal language;serves as the foundation for musical composition.\figured bass- type of musical shorthand development in the baroque era;numbers are placed below the bass line to show harmonic progression;:realized” by basso continuo;provides the structure for guided improvisation.
Basso continuo- baroque performance practice;involves 2 performers- 1 playing the notated bass line and 1 realizing the harmonies as indicated by the figured bass;usually played on harpsichord or organ;provides harmonic framework.equal temperament- method of tunning keyboard instrument; all semitones within the otave are divided equally ; ceated enharmonic equivalents(Csharp/D lat)
Terraced dynamics- baroque practice of changing dynamics abruptly; results in stark contrast rather han gradual change.
The “affections”- inspired by ancient Greek and Roman writers and orators; refers to emotional states of the soul;in baroque means one clear emotion is usually project hough an intire compositon or movement;vocal music depicted the emotions of the text or dramatic situation;was a reaction against the compolex polyphony of renaissance music;also referred to as the “doctrine of affections”.
Word painting – musical pictorialization; music mirrors the literal meaning of the words; achieved through melody, rhythm or harmony
Idiomatic writing- the unique technical capabilities of an instrument are highlighter; opposite of “generic”;developed in Baroque era.
Binary form- 2 parts (AB);A ends with open cadence; used frequently in baroque dances and keyboard pieces;set in Baroque arias.
Ternary form(ABA)- B3 parts; B creates more contrast in key and/or material;often used in baroque arias.
Homophonic texture – melody with accompanied harmony; single voice takes over the melodic interest and melody is accompanied; melody on RH and LH has chords; its based on harmony.
Polyphonic texture- many voices , 1 or 2 or more melodic lines are combined; its based on counter points means note against not.eg.
ANTONIO VIVALDI 1678- 1741
• Violinist, and son of the violinist, conductor, highly prolific composer,; colorful figure in the musical life in Venice; he also was catholic priest; had red hair called “ the red priest”; Vivaldi brilliant, idiomatic, writing for strings advanced the art of performances of new heights of virtuosity