III CHAPTER III THE BAROQUE PERIOD

1. Baroque Music (1600-1750)

Baroque – flamboyant, elaborately ornamented

a. Characteristics of Baroque Music

1. Unity of Mood – a piece expressed basically one basic mood
e.g. rhythmic patterns, melodic patterns
2. Rhythm – rhythmic continuity provides a compelling drive, the beat is
more emphasized than before.
3. Dynamics – volume tends to remain constant for a stretch of time.
Terraced dynamics – a sudden shift of the dynamics level. (keyboard
instruments not capable of cresc/decresc.)

4. Texture – predominantly polyphonic and less frequently homophonic.

5. Chords and the Basso Continuo (Figured Bass) – the progression of
chords becomes prominent. Bass Continuo - the standard accompaniment
consisting of a keyboard instrument (harpsichord, organ) and a low
melodic instrument (violoncello, bassoon).

6. Words and Music – Word-Painting - the musical representation of

specific poetic images; E.g. ascending notes for the word heaven.
b. The Baroque Orchestra – Composed of chiefly the string section with
various other instruments used as needed. Size of approximately 10 – 40
players.

c. Baroque Forms – movement – a piece that sounds fairly complete and

independent but is part of a larger work.
-Binary and Ternary are both dominant.
 2. The Concerto Grosso and the Ritornello Form
- concerto grosso – a small group of soloists pitted against
a larger ensemble (tutti), usually consists of 3 movements: (1) fast, (2)
slow, (3) fast.

- ritornello form - e.g. tutti, solo, tutti, solo, tutti solo, tutti etc.

Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047

Title on autograph score: Concerto 2do à 1 Tromba, 1 Flauto, 1 Hautbois, 1 Violino concertati,
è 2 Violini, 1 Viola è Violone in Ripieno col Violoncello è Basso per il Cembalo.
Allegro
Andante
Allegro assai
Concertino: trumpet in F, recorder, oboe, violin
Ripieno: two violins, viola, violone, and basso continuo (including harpsichord).
 - The Fugue
fugue – a polyphonic composition based on one musical theme
(subject).
- The texture usually has three to five voices with the subject moving
between voices combined with different melodic and rhythmic ideas.

BACH, Organ Fugue in G Minor (Little Fugue c. 1709)

Visual Analysis
 5. The Elements of Opera
opera – a sung drama w/ action, poetry, dance, scenery & costumes
a. Performers: principal soloists, secondary soloists, chorus, and dancers.
b. Creators: composer – writes the music,
librettists – writer of the text (libretto)
c. interior elements:
1. aria – song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment.
2. recitative – a vocal line that imitates the rhythms of speech.
3. duet, trio, quartet etc. – compositions for specific number of performers.
4. overture – a short instrumental composition at the beginning of an
opera that is intended to set the dramatic mood.

6. Opera in the Baroque Era

- was born in Italy.
- founded buy a group of nobles, poets and composers (Camerata) who wished to
create a new vocal style modeled on the music of the ancient Greek tragedy.
- They desired extensive use of the recitative and rejected the use of polyphony.
- secco recitative (dry) - recitatives accompanied by a basso continuo

- accompanied recitative - recitative supported by the orchestra

- Arias were eventually incorporated into the Opera.

- the aria was usually in ternary (ABA) form, where the initial A section is
repeated after the B section (da capo). The second A section was traditionally
ornamented at the will of the performer (show ability of virtuosity).

PURCELL, Dido’s Lament from Dido and Aeneas

 7. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) b. Venice, Italy
- wrote mostly for a school (orphanage) for girls; vocal music,
concerti grossi and soli concerti.

- solo concerto – a piece for a single instrumental soloist and orchestra

VIVALDI Concerto for Mandolin in C Major

VIVALDI La Primavera from The Four Seasons

- First Movement: Allegro

Italian English

La Primavera Spring

Allegro Allegro
Giunt' è la Primavera e festosetti Springtime is upon us.
La Salutan gl' Augei con lieto canto, The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
E i fonti allo Spirar de' Zeffiretti and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the
Con dolce mormorio Scorrono intanto: breezes.
Vengon' coprendo l' aer di nero amanto Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar,
E Lampi, e tuoni ad annuntiarla eletti casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Indi tacendo questi, gl' Augelletti; Then they die away to silence, and the birds take
Tornan' di nuovo al lor canoro incanto: up their charming songs once more.

10. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) b. Eisenach, Germany

- wrote music for organ, orchestra & choir
- life divided into 3 periods:
1. organist in Weimar (organ music)
2. court conductor in Cothen (instrumental music)
3. director of music in St. Thomas Church, Leipzig (vocal)
11. Chorale & Church Cantata
- Lutheran church service was 4 hrs. in length
- Each service included several hymns (chorales)
chorale: a hymn tune sung to a German religious text
 church cantata: a sung piece for chorus, soloists, organ & orchestra
with a German religious text relating to a particular Sunday.

BACH Cantata No. 140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (1731)
13. Oratorio
- oratorio – composition for chorus, soloists & orchestra set to a
narrative text.
- Contains no acting, costumes or scenery.
- Based on religious stories

14. George Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) b. Halle, Germany

Messiah (1741)
IV CHAPTER IV THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

1. The Classical Style (1750-1820)

a. Characteristics of the Classical Style
1. Contrast of Mood – may change gradually or suddenly.
2. Rhythm – wealth of rhythmic patterns.

3. Texture – predominantly homophonic

4. Melody – tuneful, balanced and symmetrical.

 5. Dynamics & the Piano – widespread use of crescendo / decrescendo.
The piano has the ability to use dynamics & replaces the harpsichord.

6. The End of the Basso Continuo (Figured Bass) – composers preferred

to write out the parts completely and not rely on improvisation.

b. The Classical Orchestra – A standard group of four sections: strings,

woodwinds, brass & percussion.
Strings: 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola, celli, double basses
Woodwind: 2 flutes, 2 oboe, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons
Brass: 2 French horns, 2 trumpets
Percussion: 2 timpani
Size of approximately 25 – 60 players.
 c. Classical Forms – Sonata-Allegro the predominant form

2. Sonata Form (Sonata Allegro) ABA‘

i. divided into 3 main sections:

Exposition: 1st Theme in Tonic key

Bridge – containing modulation to a new key
2nd Theme in new key
Closing Section – in the key of the 2nd Theme
Development: New treatment of themes, modulations to different keys.
Recapitulation: 1st Theme in Tonic key
Bridge
2nd Theme in Tonic key
Closing Section – in Tonic key
(Coda): Tonic key
MOZART, Eine kleine Nachtmusik K. 525

4. Theme and Variations (A A1 A2 A3 etc)

HAYDN, Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise)

- Second Movement: Andante
 5. Minuet and Trio ABA
Minuet Trio Minuet
A B A
a (repeated) ba‘ – c (repeated) dc‘ – a ba‘

Online Lesson: http://www.erikscull.com/portfolio/assets/flash/minuettrio1.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5kk9H68vT4
6. Rondo ABACA or ABACABA
Listening Outline: Beethoven, String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4
CD#2/35 (4:08) Second Movement: Rondo (Allegro)

OR

Rondo “Alla Turca” – Wolfgang A. Mozart

7. The Classical Symphony
- an extended orchestral piece consisting of 4 movements
st
1 Movement – fast and in Sonata form
2nd Movement – slow and in Sonata, ABA or Theme & Variation forms
3rd Movement – moderate and in Minuet / Trio form
4th Movement – fast and in Sonata or Rondo forms.
8. The Classical Concerto
- a three-movement work for an instrumental soloists and orchestra.
- highlights the soloists virtuosity

9. Classical Chamber Music

music designed for a small ensemble in an intimate setting.
e.g. string quartet – 2 violins, viola and cello
10. Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) b. Rohrau, Austria (Patronage System)
- created the symphony & string quartet – “Father of the String Quartet” &
“Father of the Symphony”.
Major contributions: 104 Symphonies & 68 string quartets

11. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) b. Salzburg, Austria

- greatest boy prodigy
- he wrote a symphony at age 8, an oratorio at age 10 and an opera at 11.
- at age 25 he broke away from Salzburg and stayed in Vienna as a
freelance musician.
Major contributions: 41 symphonies, 27 piano concerti and 3 operatic
masterpieces: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute.

12. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) b. Bonn, Germany

- Considered the highest level of musical genius.
- Replaced the Minuet Trio with the Scherzo
- He was the bridge to the Romantic period – increased the range in
music for pitch and dynamics.
V CHAPTER V THE ROMANTIC PERIOD
1. Romanticism in Music (1820-1900)
- Characteristics of Romantic Music
a. Individuality of Style – emphasis on self-expression. Composers wrote
music that was aurally unique to themselves.
b. Expressive Aims and Subjects – used all ranges of emotion & subject
matter.
c. Nationalism and Exoticism
1. nationalism – music written with a specific national identity
2. exoticism – music written with materials drawn from foreign lands
d. Program Music – instrumental music associated with story or idea
e. Expressive Tone Color – used to obtain a variety of mood
f. Colorful Harmony – use of new chords and chromatics
g. Expanded Range of Dynamics, Pitch and Tempo
h. Forms: Miniature and Monumental – small pieces to huge operas
i. Rhythm – variety
j. Dynamics – extreme
k. Texture - homophonic

2. The Art Song – setting of a poem for solo voice and piano, translating the poem’s
mood and imagery into music.
- a marriage of poetry and music
strophic – same music used for each verse
 through-composed – new music for each stanza

The Song Cycle – Art Songs grouped in a set

3. Franz Schubert (1797-1828) b. Vienna, Austria

- large output in a short life
- wrote in many forms, most especially Art Songs, approximately 600.
- also known for his “unfinished symphony”

4. Robert Schumann (1810-1856) b. Zwickau, Germany

- wrote Art Songs and incidental piano pieces.
- famous as a concert pianist

5. Clara Wieck Schumann (1819-1896) b. Leipzig, Germany

- wrote mostly for piano and small ensembles
*being female discouraged more composing

6. Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) b. Poland

- wrote mostly piano pieces
- self sufficient musician
- wrote music in France but used ethnic dance rhythms
 7. Franz Liszt (1811-1886) b. Hungary
- famous piano virtuoso, created the symphonic poem / tone poem: a 1
movement orchestral piece based on a literary or pictorial idea

8. Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) b. Hamburg, Germany

- wrote in all genre except opera, famous for reviving the music of Bach

9. Program Music - instrumental music associated with story or idea

- music that had the ability to create mood, emotion and atmosphere
- the main forms of program music:
a. program symphony: a symphony with several movements, each
one with a descriptive title.
b. concert overture: a one movement, independent orchestral piece,
with a descriptive title.
c. symphonic or tone poem: a one movement orchestral piece based
on a literary or pictorial idea.
d. incidental music: music performed before or during a play.

10. Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) b. near Grenoble, France

- became famous for his orchestrations.

- founded the program symphony.

11. Nationalism in Nineteenth-Century Music

- composers gave their music the flavor of their homelands.
- countries began to feel their own identities, breaking away from the
identities of the countries that had controlled or conquered them.

Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) b. Bohemia (Czech Republic)

The Moldau (Vltava) (1874)

The composition describes the course of the Vltava, starting from the two small springs,
the Cold and Warm Vltava, to the unification of both streams into a single current, the
course of the Vltava through woods and meadows, through landscapes where a farmer's
wedding is celebrated, the round dance of the mermaids in the night's moonshine: on the
nearby rocks loom proud castles, palaces and ruins aloft. The Vltava swirls into the St.
John's Rapids; then it widens and flows toward Prague, past the Vyšehrad, and then
majestically vanishes into the distance, ending at the Labe (or Elbe, in German).
12. Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) b. near Prague, Bohemia (Czech Republic)
- wrote in a folk style, but didn’t quote actual tunes.
- was inspired by Erie’s Harry T. Burleigh (a student of Dvorak) study
of the African-American spirituals.
Harry T. Burleigh
(1866-1949)

13. Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) b. Russia

- famous for his ballets, symphonies & concerti
- e.g. Swan Lake Ballet, Nutcracker Ballet, 1812 Overture

14. Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) b. Norway

Nationalistic: In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt

15. Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) b. Finland

Nationalistic: Finlandia

16. Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) b. Russia

Nationalistic: Pictures at an Exhibition

17. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) b. Russia

Exoticism: The Flight of the Bumblebee from The Tale of Tsar Saltan

18. Edward Elgar (1857-1934) b. England

Nationalistic: Pomp and Circumstance – Military March op. 39

19. Carl Orff (1895-1982) b. Germany

Nationalistic: Carmina Burana (cantata) – opening movement “O Fortuna”

20. Aaron Copeland (1900-1990) b. USA

Nationalistic: Hoedown from Rodeo (Ballet)

21. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) b. Hamburg, Germany

- he wrote in all major genre except Opera.
- he used and reinterpreted the classical forms
- introduced works of Mozart, Handel & Bach
22. Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) b. Italy
- Famous “Bel Canto” Opera Composer

23. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) b. Italy

- famous for his Nationalistic Italian operas; Aida, La Traviata, Rigoletto
-Vittorio Emanuelle Re D’Italia

24. Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) b. Italy

- famous for his through-composed Italian operas

25. Richard Wagner (1813-1883) b. Leipzig, Germany

- famous for his through-composed German Operas and the use of the
Leitmotif: a short musical idea associated with a person, object or
thought.