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Baroque Period
The Baroque period, spanning roughly from the late 16th to the early 18th century, was characterized by ornate and dramatic artistic expression. In music, this era saw the emergence of complex compositions, ornamentation, and the development of new forms, exemplified by composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi. -
King James Bible
The King James Bible, first published in 1611, is a foundational English translation of the Christian Bible that has had a profound impact on literature, language, and religious thought. Known for its majestic and poetic language, it remains a widely used and influential text in many English-speaking Christian traditions. -
Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) was an Italian composer, musician, and singer. 1)He was the first opera composer whose works are regularly performed today.
2)He published 8 books of madrigals.
3)He was 15 when his first collection of music was published. His most famous works include L'Orfeo, Vespro della Beata, and Vergine. -
Barbara Strozzi
Barbara Strozzi (1619–1677) was an Italian composer and singer. 1)She was one of very few women in the 17th century to publish any music.
2)She was able to advance in her career due to being the illegitimate daughter of Giulio Strozzi, who worked in the arts.
3)Strozzi published many volumes of music, which indicates that her music was well received. Her famous works include Il primo libro di madrigali, Cantate, ariette e duetti, and Cantate e ariette. These are all Italian sacred pieces. -
Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell (1659-1695) was an English Baroque period composer.
1)His earliest work is an ode for King Charles' birthday in 1670.
2)Purcell got the post of Organist of Westminster Abbey in 1679.
3)Purcell’s first opera, ‘Dido and Aeneas’, was a monumental work in Baroque opera. His most famous works include Dido and Aeneas, Dioclesian, The Fairy Queen, and King Arthur. -
Newton's Principia Mathematica
The Principia Mathematica, authored by Sir Isaac Newton, is a seminal work in the field of physics and mathematics. Published in 1687, it lays out Newton's laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, providing a comprehensive mathematical framework that profoundly influenced the understanding of classical mechanics and the nature of physical reality. -
Arcangelo Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) was an Italian Baroque composer and violinist. 1)Corelli was a gifted violinist, and an influential violin teacher and music director.
2)Although few in number, his works were widely published during his lifetime, spreading his influence across Europe.
3)Born in Fusignano, he studied in Bologna, which was great centre of violin playing. His famous works include Christmas Concerto, Twelve Violin Sonatas, and Suite for Strings. -
Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704) was a French Baroque composer. 1)He began his career by going to Italy, there he fell under the influence of Giacomo Carissimi and others.
2)In 1690 Charpentier composed Médée. It would be a determining failure in his career of composer. He devoted himself to religious music.
3)He composed secular works, stage music, operas, cantatas, sonatas, and symphonies. His famous works include Te Deum, Messe de minuit pour Noël, and David et Jonathas. -
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) was an Italian Baroque composer and violinist whose contributions to music have left an enduring legacy. 1)Young Antonio was taught to play the violin by his father, a professional violinist who was also a barber.
2)His famous set of 4 violin concertos, The Four Seasons, is considered to be an outstanding example of program music.
3)The compositions of Vivaldi total 500 concertos, 90 sonatas, and 46 operas.
His famous works include The Four Seasons, and Gloria. -
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-born composer who later became a British citizen. 1)Handel's final oratorio, Jephtha, was an awful experience for the composer. He was going blind as he wrote it.
2)Some of Handel's biggest and best works were composed in the later stages of his life.
3)During the first London performance of Handel's Messiah, King George II stood up as soon as the Hallelujah chorus came in. His famous works include Messiah, Water Music, and Sarabande. -
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western classical music. 1)His father was a 7th generation musician, and carried on the tradition by teaching him how to play the violin.
2)In 1700, he was given a scholarship at St. Michael’s School in Luneburg for his voice.
3)Bach became the conductor of the court orchestra, in which Prince Leopold played. His famous works include Brandenburg Concertos, Christmas Oratorio, and Ave Maria.