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Period: to
Early Baroque
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Musical Inventions in the Early Baroque Era
In the Early Baroque Era, many musical improvements/inventions occurred. Many stringed instruments and organs were improved. These improvements to the organ and harpsichord would eventually lead to the invention of the piano in the 18th century. The oboe was invented and seen as the successor to the Shawm (instrument). The bassoon was also invented and was mainly used as a Basso Continuo instrument. -
Musical Traits in the Early Baroque Era
When the Early Baroque era came around, there was a shift from modality to tonality.
Melody in the Early Baroque era was homophonic, which was a musical device at this time. Melody was recitative, which is a section of music that is set in a style that imitates and emphasizes the natural accent and flow of speech.
Many forms such as poetic, through-composed, strophic, and binary were used.
When dealing with harmony, Baroque composers thought of it as a vertical process of chordal progressions. -
Emilio de'Cavalieri (1550-1602)
Emilio de'Cavalieri was a roman nobleman. He is one of the founders of opera and was the first to publish a figured bass. He was an organist, singing teacher, dancer, and choreographer. He also composed the first surviving play set in music entirely. -
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet. He is considered to be an important force in the field of music from his day into this current age. -
John Bull (1562-1628)
John Bull was an English composer and organist. He was considered a virtuoso to the virginals, which is keyboard instrument in the harpsicord family. -
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)
Girolamo Frescobaldi was a composer, who was known as the first modern keyboard virtuoso. He is considered the most influential keyboard composer of the Early Baroque era. He also is the first European composer to focus on instrumental music. -
Non Musical Events during the Early Baroque Era
In 1607 Great Britain sends ships to America to colonize it. They set up a settlement named "Jamestown".
In 1611, Galileo observes that the Earth could possibly revolve around the Sun.
In 1621, The Pilgrims have a meal with the Wampanoag Tribe and the Pilgrims are thankful for it, which creates Thanksgiving.
In 1636, France enters the "Thirty Years' War" with Spain and the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1649, King Charles is beheaded -
Period: to
Middle Baroque
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Musical Inventions in the Middle Baroque Era
In the Middle Baroque Era, there weren't many musical inventions, however instruments themselves were on a rise. Instrumental music began to pop and it lead to the creation of new genres. The instruments mainly used in this era of Baroque were stringed instruments. The instruments from the Early Baroque era had carried on over. -
Musical Traits in the Middle Baroque Era
In the Middle Baroque era, melodies became more organized with the use of compositional techniques such as repetition, sequence, and contrast. Rhythm became a central element in this era, due to the rise of instrumental music. The tonal system of 24 major and minor keys was still developing. There were numerous different forms in this time. Fugues developed from an obsession with imitation and organization. Mainly stringed instruments were used, however organs, harpsichords and vocals were too. -
Genres
Most popular genres within the Baroque Era (Early, Middle, and Late) are separated into two categories, Vocal and Instrumental.
Some popular Vocal genres of the Baroque era are Opera, Mass, and Chorale.
Some popular Instrumental genres of the Baroque era are Fugues, Sonatas, and Fantasia. -
Francesco Cavalli (1602-1676)
Francesco Cavalli was an Italian composer, singer, teacher, and organist. He was one of, if not the most famous composers during his time and in Venice. -
Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (1620/23-1680)
Johann Heinrich Schmelzer was one of the leading Austrian violinists and composers of instrumental music. He is said to have created 1 masses, many lost sacred pieces, 150 ballet suites, and over 100 sonatas. -
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Henry Purcell was the most important composer in the 17th century. He worked with songs, anthems, sacred music, incidental music keyboard works, and created 6 stage works. -
Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703)
Johann Christoph Bach was the first cousin once removed, of J.S. Bach (who we are all familiar with). He was a German composer and organist. He was the most known/important Bach family member before J.S Bach. -
Non Musical Events during the Middle Baroque Era
In 1651, Philosopher Thomas Hobbes publishes his book Leviathan
In 1666, There is a big fire in London, this leads to to institutionalized fire fighting.
In 1679, English Parliament passes the Habeas Corpus Act, which is against abusive detentions and detentions without legal authority.
In 1689 Philosopher John Locke rejects church authority. He believes that Church and State should be separate, also that Churches should be voluntary societies.
In 1696 Peter the Great becomes Russia's sole Tsar. -
Period: to
Late Baroque (1700-1730/1750)
This is the only Timespan that will have a description, as many regard the end of Baroque as when J.S. Bach died. however, many believe it was much sooner than that, 1730, to be specific. -
Musical Inventions in the Late Baroque Era
In the Late Baroque era, there weren't any inventions clearly stated in the Concise and Friendly Guide, however it does state that 7th chords were accepted as functional harmonies. Stringed instruments were still dominant, however woodwind instruments did exceptionally well too. Moreover, continuous experiments with the construction of the keyboard eventually lead to the emergence of pianoforte prototypes. -
Musical Traits in the Late Baroque Era
In the Late Baroque Era, melodies were governed by fortspinnung, which is the spinning out of musical ideas. Melodies were often long, with a sense of continuous development. Popular forms in this time were Da Capo Aria for vocals, Ritornello was popular for ensembles. By the 1720s the modern diatonic system was established. Chromaticism was used for expression modulation and musical interest. Homophony was still prevalent. -
Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729)
Elisabeth-Claude was known as "the marvel of our century". She was educated in Louis XIV's court and a renowned harpsichordist. She wrote ballets, operas, chamber music, and 3 volumes of cantatas. -
Leonardo Vinci (1696-1730)
Leonardo Vinci, not to be confused with Leonardo Da Vinci, the Italian polymath, who we all know. Vinci was an Italian composer, and a leader of the new style of Italian opera. He wrote 11 Neapolitan comedies, 24 serious operas, and a few vocal and instrumental works. -
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Pergolesi was a Neopolitan composer. He died at a young age, but his achievements were romanticized after his death. He wrote over 10 dramatic works, sacred vocal works, arias, chamber cantatas, and instrumental works. -
Non Musical Events during the Late Baroque Era
In 1706 Benjamin Franklin is born.
In 1712, The English use a steam powered device to pump water out of a mine, the first successful engine.
In 1727, In Brazil, Europeans bein planting coffee.
In 1732, The first President of the United States, George Washington is born.
In 1744, France invades the Austrian Netherlands (Belgium).
(Bonus: Music Related) In 1750, J.S. Bach's eyesight deteriorated and undergoes an operation which hastens his death. He dies at age 65. Thus ending the Baroque Era. -
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Bach is arguably one of if not the most well known Baroque artist. He is considered the Baroque Master, wrote no operas, was a master of counterpoint. He wrote over 205+ cantatas, Masses, Magnificats, Motets, Suites, Oratorios, Passions, Fugues, Concertos, Sonatas, Keyboard works, and Chorales.
