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Start of the Baroque period 1600-1730
The widely agreed upon beginning of the baroque Period. This age would see many great musical pieces born with the rise and fall of civilizations. Music at first may seemed to have regressed from the Renaissance period. However ad the Baroque period continued, music became far more ornamental than it was at the height of the Renaissance. -
Monody in music
1600 marks the beginning of the Baroque era in music due in large part to the Monody style of music. This style typically incorporates one speaker supported by one or a few instrumentalists. -
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Baroque Oratorios
A style of concert composition, oratorios continued to lay groundwork of music displaying early symphony style riding of the back and gravitas of operas composed at the time. In the early 17th century Oratorios were religious, focused on giving grace and maintaining church-style musings. As the Baroque period continued, Oratorios too followed the trend of religious music gone secular. It was this secular "modernization" that is credited with being the bedrock of symphonies to come. -
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the Baroque Period of the Early Opera
This is the beginning of the Baroque period. It is marked by the advancement of operas from their previous style in the renaissance era, moving over to more of what we recognize about them today. Few composers mark the shift from Renaissance to Baroque periods as well as Claudio Monteverdi, composing in both styles and bringing operas to the new era. his influence on the opera style was used to reform and modify its style for generations -
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The Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Year's War saw Austria enveloped in civil war of Ferdinand's claims to the Holy Roman Empire. By 1638 Spain and Austria had joined forces to wage a war of territorial expansion against France, aided by Sweden. The war resulted in approximately 8.5 million deaths, the majority of which coming from Austria and France. -
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The Rule of the King Louis XIV
After years of warring with Austria and Spain, King Louis the Great took to the throne. After the death of his chief minister Cardinal Mazarin, Louis took to action and sought to rid France of its feudalist regions so that all of French would be united under his monarchy, more powerful than ever. Among the many scores played in his court are "Prelude De Teum", Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme", "Cadmus et Hermoine", and Carnaval a Venise". The "Sun King" served until his death in 1715 -
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Baroque Middle Period: The Age of Instrumental Music (1650-1700)
Characterized by works from Corelli and Rossi, this section of Baroque music is centered around the breaking away from vocals as the highest and most ubiquitous form of musical entertainment. This sup-period brought light to many more modern forms of instrumental music, whether it be as a backdrop, or taking center stage. Forms birthed during this period include sonatas, oratorios, cantatas, and suites. -
Death of Luigi Rossi
An Italian composer born in 1597, Luigi Rossi would go on to aid in the creation of "Canatata" form. Canatata, meaning "To Sing" in Italian, describes a mainly vocal-centered composition with a score of accompaniment instruments. Rossi would go on to make many Canatata's along with two operas before his passing in 1653, his chamber cantatas well regarded by all who heard them. -
Birth of Arcangelo Corelli
Famous for his transformative works, credited with laying the foundation for what would be sonata and concerto form, Arcangelo Corelli was a brilliant musician and composer. While already boasting a fantastic resume with regards to influence on musical history, Corelli is even credited with being the first to adopt our modern idea of tonality and functional harmony. His works were instrumental in the development of chamber music. His works would inspire both J.S. Bach and George Handel alike. -
The Revival of the Opera
1671 marks the presentation of Thomas Shadwell's Psyche, an opera whose creation was mandated by Charles II of England. A bit of an enthusiast, Charles sought musicians to replicate the Opera form that, if not for his hiring, may have been lost to time by 1650 -
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The High Baroque Period (1700-1730)
This final baroque period is a stepping stone into more classical styles. Fugues evolved from the canons from before, bringing further timber diversity from instrumental styles that grew massively in popularity over the last 50 years. Advancements in opera styles made in the early baroque period have been fully elaborated on by great minds such as Arcangelo Corelli and J.S. Bach. Overall, this final period is characterized by different Baroque forms colliding and coexisting.
