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1567
Monteverdi
(1567-1643) Known for using dissonance in his compositions and for creating modern music in his time period. Deemed as a transitional figure from the Renaissance to the Baroque Era. -
Francessca Caccini
(1587-after 1641)) The first woman to compose operas, also the daughter of Giulio Caccini. -
Start of Baroque Era
An era of ornamentation, embracing extravagant and bizarre qualities of music. -
Tuning System Changes
Half steps began to be tuned equally on the organ and some composers began limiting their keys to four sharps and flats max. -
Bar Lines
Bar lines become an accepted form of meter. -
Opera is Introduced
Opera was founded in Florence, Italy, by Caccini and Perio. It began growing in popularity and expanding and modifying in France and eventually England. -
Monody
A single melody sung in Italian text with basso continuo. Termed as "second practice", and favored homophobic melodies. -
Recitatives
A style that does not use repetition, as the text is only sung one time. -
Baroque Instruments
Woodwinds made out of wood, trumpets, and horns without valves, organs, harpsichords, and clavichords are very popular. -
Rise in Instrumental Music
With newly improved instruments and newfound importance in the Baroque period, instrumental music is almost equal to vocal music. -
Sonatas
A piece composed for a solo instrument and a keyboard. -
Concertos
Small orchestral groups that perform using ritornello form. -
Ritornellos
Guideposts to tonal structure and are used to determine the tonic key for concertos. -
The Baroque Suite
A set of dances in the Baroque period contrasting in character but usually using the same key. The standard form was A B. -
Barbra Strozzi
(1619-1677) Known for dramatic songs and cantatas, as well as publishing eight sets of songs. -
Teatro de San Cassiano
The first public opera theater was opened in Venice, Italy. -
Arias
Extended pieces for solo singers that are more elaborate, song-like, and have a steady beat and tempo. -
von Biber
(1644-1704) Composer and violinist, Biber was one of the most important musicians of his time, being one of the most well-known composers in the violin's early years. He was able to reach 6th and 7th positions as a violinist. -
Passacaglia
A baroque form that draws upon the principle of the ground bass and typically has a bass melody in triple meter. This is often repeated over and over to allow continuous variations to form on top. -
Chaconne
A baroque form where harmonic progression is repeated rather than an actual melody. -
Purcell
(1659-1695) Musician and composer who assimilated many European musical styles and wrote music for plays. -
Vivaldi
(1678-1741) Considered the master of the Baroque concerto, he wrote nearly 800 concertos of all types. -
Georg Philip Teleman
(1681-1767) A German composer who helped establish the French-style orchestral suite in German and was known for composing over 125 orchestral suites. -
Domenico Scarlatti
(1685-1757) A composer who wrote over 500 sonatas and was known for his progressive style. -
Handel
(1685-1759) Another German composer who is known for popular orchestral suites, "Fireworks" and "Water Music". -
Bach
(1685-1750) A composer who was considered the greatest master of the fugue and one of the most skilled composers in the Baroque Era.