Baroque Music Research Paper

The Baroque Period lasted from about 1600 to 1750. Baroque is defined as excess and extravagance. The music in the early Baroque Period differed from the music in the Renaissance because the rhythms became more definite, regular, and insistent. A single rhythm would be used throughout a whole piece or a major segment of a piece. The new rhythm caused a new emphasis on the meter. Bar lines were being used for the first time in history. The music’s meter was systematic in evidence instead of being downplayed. The strong beats were emphasized by certain instruments. While some early Baroque music is homophonic and some is polyphonic, both textures are enriched by a feature called basso continuo, a feature used only in this period. The

The music could be described as music with thorough, methodical quality. At least one segment of each composition consists of inspired repetition and variation. The music had distinctive rhythms against a very steady beat. The meter always stands out, emphasized by certain instruments. The dynamics remained about the same throughout the entire section. While the Baroque music was defined as excess and extravagant, the art during this time could be described as that as well. Art was used to impress and Artists were supported lavishly. Architecture became extravagant too. Louis XIV built the most enormous palace in history with over three hundred rooms, one including the famous ceiling hand painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Theater became very popular, making opera very prominent at this time. The development of instrumental music can be traced back to dance, virtuosity, and vocal music. The new scientific attitudes developed new scales that were tuned and tempered. Though no one really knows the reason for the rise of instrumental music, the scientific attitudes at the same time are not thought to be a coincidence. This was the first time all twenty four major and minor keys were available to composers. This was the first time instrumental music was taken

Opera is often called the most characteristic art form of the Baroque period. Baroque opera combined music, drama, poetry, dancing, highly elaborate scene design, and spectacular special effects. Opera singers often used the technique recitative, which is declaiming words musically in a heightened theatrical manner, where the singing voice follows the free rhythm of highly emotional speech. An aria is an extended piece for a solo singer that has much more musical elaboration and coerce than recitative. The vocal part is more melodic, the rhythm more consistent, the meter clearer and typically includes the entire orchestra. An Oratorio is an opera on a religious subject, such as an Old Testament story of the life as a saint. It has a narrative plot in several acts, real characters, and implied action. They are not staged and are presented in concert form, without scenery, costumes, or acting. A Cantata is a piece of moderate length for voices and instruments. They are not sacred pieces. They addressed the religious content of the day in question in Lutheran churches. A special feature in nearly all Lutheran cantatas is their use of traditional gregational hymns. Lutheran hymns are called