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The Baroque Era

__**An Introduction**__ The Baroque period lasted from 1600 to 1750. This style originated in Rome, Italy and was driven mainly by Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci when they left the Rennaissance style to add something more to Italian paintings. The Baroque period eventually was adopted by Germany, France, and Spain. It was associated with the tensions between Roman Catholics and Protestants, and because of this, the church was a perfect place for the music to be displayed. The Roman Catholics used it in response to the Protestant Reformation to show their might and power. Aside from use in the churches, the Baroque style was used to create drama, tension, sculpture, painting, architecture, literature, and dance. Many of these mediums of expression were seen in the palace of Louis XIV and was also supported by Peter Paul Rubens in Flanders, a city in Belgium. Although the movement was popular in much of Europe, it was never very popular in England or the Netherlands. This time period in Europe was important because it introduced musical devices that became the basis for most music since then.

The art and architecture of this era was elaborate---full of gilded carvings, gold and exaggerated images of love and tragedy.
 * __Art and Architecture__**

In art, the Baroque style was a continuation of the Renaissance. It was also a reaction to Mannerism, and was more realistic as well as less complex than Mannerist art. It was often biblical, with references to the Virgin Mary as well as various Saints. Baroque paintings were made to engage the viewer, both emotionally and physically. It was characterized by its use of "drama," rich and deep colors, and the contrast between bright lights and dark shadows. Baroque artists, unlike those of the Renaissance, chose to paint an action at its most dramatic point rather than right before it was about to happen. An example of this is between Michelangelo's Renaissance depiction of David standing before Goliath and Bernini's baroque depiction of David throwing the stone at Goliath.

Painters expanded the naturalistic tradition from the Renaissance. Caravaggio and his early followers were noticed for their naturalistic treatment of ordinary people. Many painters were interested in using illusionistic effects of deep space to paint. Other baroque painters opened up interior spaces by representing long files of rooms, often through doors with extended views (infoplease). An art form called “illusionism” emerged during the Baroque era. Paintings on ceilings were so realistic that they almost looked three-dimensional (ThinkQuest).

The Baroque sculptors often tried to combine sculpting materials and simulate other sculpting materials with their work, and that was one of the characteristic marks of Baroque sculpture. Everything about Baroque art was supposed to be grand, and express the emotions of the sculptor and artist.

Baroque architecture evolved out of Renaissance architecture in Italy. Architecture during the Baroque Era brought a new style and form with it. Probably the most important aspect involved in this subject was the unity of both art, architecture, and sculpting. The artists of the time brought all of these difference parts of art together to create splendid works of art, most specifically in buildings. In the 1600s, buildings became more bold and asymmetrical, characterized by curved facades and ornate decorations. Marble, gilt, and bronze were used frequently by architects, adding to the grandiose quality of the buildings. Baroque style of architecture was found throughout Europe. The Baroque architecture was different based on what country you were in. In Italy, the architecture was filled with irregular shapes and extravagant ornamentation. In France, the architecture was a combination of highly ornamented Baroque style, mixed with Classical. The Russians incorporated elements of Baroque style in the buildings of St. Petersburg.

Some of the most famous Italian Baroque architects were[| Gian Lorenzo Bernini], [|Carlo Maderno], [|Francesco Borromini], and [|Guarino Guarini]. In central Europe, this style of architecture arrived later than in all the other places, but was the one that flourished the most. The late baroque style is known as Rococo or, in Spain and Spanish America, Churrigueresque. ([|Baroque]) All of these artistic ideas were also reflected in the music of the time.
 * __Baroque Music__**

During this time period, composers and performers used more musical ornamentation, founded opera, and created new instrumental playing techniques. Baroque music was regarded as being highly decorated with many intense sounds that expressed the emotions and feelings of the composer. It also concentrated on the texture and pace of the music, which was in direct contract to that of the Renaissance.

The early ideals of baroque music were based on the perception of musical drama, especially that of the ancient Greeks. In these musical dramas discourse and oration was very important, that is why the use of their contemporaries of polyphony and instrumental music was rejected. The understanding of these ideas was the beginning of opera, which could be said to have stared the era of Baroque music. A positive extranality that came from Baroque Music were operas and oratorios. This was a new concept at the time that incorporated a story line to an orchestral accompanyment. This was regarded as a very popular form of public entertainment.

Music was written for and heard only by kings and nobility and the Church---few "common people" were able to hear this style of music. In addition, this meant that composers could not write music at their free will. The majority of the music were composed according to the taste and preferences of the nobles they worked for.

__ **Aristocracy Involvement** __ Baroque was such a style which was well-suited to that of the aristocracy, who thought in terms of completely integrated structures. During the baroque period, most music was written to order and commissioned by aristocratic courts, churches, opera houses, and towns in which all patrons constantly demanded new music, causing composers to become an integral part of the baroque society, By need of many churches, baroque arts were used for their emotional and theatrical qualities to make worship more attractive and appealing.

The aristocracy used style, art and music as a way to impress their peers, and express their status. They reveled in their elite status, and by commissioning works of art and music, secured a place which confirmed their sense of exhalation. Nonetheless, these aristocrats are responsible for promoting and funding some of the greatest pieces of art and music in the history of mankind.



In France, Louis XIV held court in the palace of Versailles, a magnificent site that turned itself, with Baroque paintings, sculptures, and architecture, into a national symbol of royal wealth and power. The baroque style was also shaped by the needs of churches, which used the emotional and theatrical qualities to make worship more attractive. The middle class also influenced the baroque style. Prosperous merchants and doctors commission the realistic depiction of land and every day life. During the baroque period, most music was written to order it was commissioned by aristocratic courts, churches, opera houses, municipalities which all patrons musicians and invariable demanded new music. Thus, composers were an integral part of the baroque society and even though they wrote their music for specific purpose for their patrons and its quality is so high that much of it has become standard in today’s concert repertory.



//People became more dependent on religion during the Baroque Era. Concerts weren’t prevalent at this time and famous baroque compositions were performed in only churches for services. Oratorios, musical dramas based on religion, became extremely popular. In Europe and Protestant Germany, oratorios were composed and used in the Lutheran church. During the 1650s, sonatas de chiesa were comprised of four movements that alternated between slow and fast tempos and were performed in churches.//

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__**Musical Genres**__

__**Style and Form**__ Baroque music typically consisted of a suite, sometimes scored with soloists. It included any of these five movements: Overture, Allemande (the first dance in an instrumental suite created during the Renaissance era in Germany), Courante (a lively French dance), Sarabande (one of the slowest baroque dances, originating in Spain), and the Gigue (another upbeat and lively dance from the British Isles), which usually concludes the baroque suite.

Baroque music had many characteristics that separated itself from other types of music, including the lack of polyphony, contrast in a piece to be used as a dramatic element and the different instrumental sounds. Polyphony was a form of music that consisted of two or more melodies that was popular in previous musical eras. Baroque music changed this, emphasizing on a single voice with a more simple accompaniment. Contrast in a Baroque piece contributed to the drama of the music, with changes in dynamics or between solo and ensemble.

The Baroque Era changed the way that music sounded, through new techniques of dynamics, articulations, and instrumental patterns. One major element to the music was its lack of any written elements such as dynamics, articulation, and ornamentation. It was not that these weren't important, but the composers gave the orchestra much more freedom in these categories. Also, the music was typically simpler, for example, vibrato was only used at the most dramatic times, as well as expressive bowing. (Baroque.org) The speed of the bow was often used to control dynamics.

Baroque music intends to represent the emotions of real life, which is supposed to excite the emotions of listeners. The style is less rigid, and the music consists of great contrasts. There is also an expressive use of dissonance, and a deeper bass is usually wanted. The bass holds the melody while the treble controls the emotions/mood. (www.aug.edu)

__**Period Instruments**__

Baroque music is played on string instruments, trumpet, harpsichord, recorder, lute, and many other instruments. On stringed instruments, Baroque music is usually played with light, short bow strokes. Notably, the aesthetic of Baroque music was shaped by Bach, Handel, Paganini, and Vivaldi.

==== There are many different types of baroque instruments used during the baroque time. Some of the more famous instruments include the violin, viola, violoncello, harpsichord, organ, harp and trumpet. These instruments resemble the baroque style of playing which is light and precise. For example, the harpsichord contains a plucked metal quality that is unique to the baroque era. ==== The Baroque Era was a continuation of all the instruments that were used during the Renaissance. During this period, there were mechanical and technological changes to the instruments, and they started to develop into the instruments that we know today. Another important development of the Baroque Era was the development of the violin family, which occurred at the end of the 1600s.

The violin family was modified to fit in with the Baroque style of music. The baroque violin was played without a chin rest or a shoulder rest. The body would also be much flatter and appeared to be parallel to the ground. Another difference between the modern day violin and the baroque violin is the construction of the bass-bar. In a baroque violin, the bass-bar is narrower and smaller. This was the same with other members of the violin family such as the viola and the violoncello.

The bows used during the Baroque era were also different from modern day bows. The bows used now are typically bent inward with a curve. The baroque bows were straight or bent outward to create more tension when playing.

__**Composers**__ Jean-Baptiste Lully was a composer during the Baroque era who, although he was born in Italy, spent the majority of his life composing in France. Lully worked in the court for King Louis XIV of France for most of his life, becoming known as the master of the French Baroque style. Although Lully learned how to play the guitar and the violin, he began his career as a dancer. Because of his dance background, he composed some music for a ballet called //Ballet de la nuit//, which the king loved so much that he named Lully the head composer. Lully's relationship with the King gave him a high advantage later to gain the privilege of producing operas in Paris. All of Lully's operas included preludes praising the monarchy. Each opera was based on Italian stories but with French libretto (text), creating a style known as //Tragédie Lyrique//. Between 1673 and 1686, Lully composed thirteen //tragédies lyrique//. This style remained the dominant form in French opera for a hundred years after Lully’s death in 1687.
 * Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632 – 1687)**


 * Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) **was a German Baroque composer, organist, and teacher. From his youth Pachelbel trained to be a musician. He studied with famous composer and musicians such as Heinrich Schwemmer and Georg Caspar Wecker. Pachelbel's first job came at Saint Stevens Cathedral where he was a deputy organist, and a musical influence to the surrounding area.He was personally influenced by German and Italian composers.He is also famous for writing a large number of compositions as well as the development of the chorale prelude, which is a short liturgical composition for organ, and for the development of fugue, which is a technique where multiple voices repeat a theme in different pitches throughout the piece. Today he is best known for his //Canon in D// (Encyclopedia Britannica).[[image:http://www.kunstderfuge.com/images/pachelbel.jpg]]

**Arcangelo Corelli (1653 – 1713)** Arcangelo Corelli was born in Fusignano, Italy. He was a phenomenal violinist and composer, and was well-known for his addition on the violin style, his sonatas, and his 12 Concerti Grossi. He received his first taste of musical theory when he went to Faenza and Lugo. Then throughout 1666 and 1667, Arcangelo Corelli studied with Giovanni Benvenuti, a violinist in Bologna. As he became more talented he created his first composition, Sonata for Viloiv and Lute, and on June 3, 1677 he sent it to Count Fabrizio Laderchi of Faenza. Throughout his life he accomplished things such as, being a musical director at the Palazzo Pamhili and conducting a musical performance sponsored by Queen Christina for the British ambassador who had been send to Rome by King James II of England to attend the coronation of Pope Innocent XII. Even though his life came to an end, his place in history and his music will continue to live (Encyclopedia britannica). **Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)**
 * Henry Purcell**
 * (1659–1695**) Henry Purcell was born to Henry Purcell, the master of choristers at Westminster Abbey, and his wife Elizabeth. His father died when Henry was only five years old, forcing his mother and six siblings to live a more modest lifestyle than they had been. In 1668, Purcell became a chorister in the Chapel Royal, studying under chorus master Henry Cooke. This is where Purcell spent most of his short life. (1659 (?)– 1695)

http://www.memo.fr/Media/Vivaldi.jpg Antonio Vivfile: was an Italian composer who learned violin from his father and also was trained to live a religious life. In 1703 he was ordained as a priest, but he lived most of his life devoted to music. He became a violin teacher Ospitale della Pieta (a girl's orphanage) in Venice and was later appointed to be the maestro di violino(conductor) of their orchestra. While at the orphanage, Vivaldi wrote concertos, cantatas and sacred vocal music for the orphans, entertaining them with music. Vivaldi composed over 700 pieces, including 500 concerti, and was also famous for his operas. He is notably well-known for his violin concerto, The Four Seasons, which he composed in 1723, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque music played and listened today. He traveled all around Italy and even to Vienna and Prague to direct performances of his operas, and all his pieces were admired by many musicians(such as Bach). Antonio Vivaldi died a pauper in Vienna, recognized as one of the great eighteenth century "violin virtuoso's", or musicians with superb ability. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born on March 4th 1678 in Venice, Italy and died July 27/28th 1741 in Vienna, Austria. He gained the nickname il Prete Rosso or the red priest because he was a Venetian priest but Vivaldi no longer wished to celebrate mass because of physical complaints ("tightness of the chest") which pointed to angina pectoris, asthmatic bronchitis, or a nervous disorder. Vivaldi died in poverty as although he achieved great success in composing music and playing the violin, he never secured financial stability. Although he was relatively popular while alive, he died in obscurity and it was only when some scholars had looked through old manuscripts and discovered that Bach had transcribed several pieces from Vivaldi that he became relevant gain. Bach was heavily influenced by Vivaldi's concerti as he had he had brightened the formal and rhythmic structure of the concerto and made it more playful, light, and flamboyant.

 Georg Philipp Telemann is often considered one of the outstanding composers of his time. During his life, he was actually considered a superior and more successful composer than Bach, who asked Georg to be the godfather of his child, Carl Bach, due to his great wealth. He is often associated with the gallant style of music. In 1693 or 1694 Telemann was sent to Zellerfeld where his widowed mother thought that by changing his surroundings he would not follow his love for music. When he went to Zellerfeld he met Casper Calver who allowed for him to study music theory. After a brief stint as Kapellmeister (director of music) for the city of Frankfurt, he spent the rest of his life and career in Hamburg as director of opera. During his illustrious career, in addition to composition, he devoted himself greatly to musical theory. He published many treatises on methods for amateur musicians to learn complex techniques, thus leaving a permanent positive mark on music. **Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)**
 * Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767) **was a German Baroque composer. Almost completely self taught in music, he played several instruments by the age of 10 and had composed an opera by age 12. Although his family strongly discouraged his pursuit of a musical career and sent him to law school at Leipzig University, he organized student music groups there and became the music director of Leipzig opera.When Georg Philipp Telmeann was studying at Leipzig University, his music career really began to kick off and become serious. He went to college to not study music but to study language and science. However, he did not stay long at Leipzig. He was married to a beautiful women but it did not turn out so well because his wife suddenly died in 1711.His work includes 40 operas, 12 cantata cycles, 44 coral passions, many oratorios, and hundreds of orchestral and chamber pieces (Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment).

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer during the Baroque era. He grew up in an environment immersed in music as most of his family had music related professions. His father, Johann Abrosius Bach, was the director of the town musicians. JS Bach learned violin and harpsichord from his father, and other instruments from family members (uncles, cousins, siblings, etc.) that were also very involved in music. This provided him with an extensive background in music performance and composition from a variety of people and on many instruments. He is famous for being an organist but also played a variety of instruments including the harpsichord, the violin, the viola, and was a member of the choir. Bach had 20 children in total, but few survived until adulthood. He is considered one of historys most celebrated musicians. As a child, Bach was the youngest in his family. After both of his parents passed away, he was under the care of his older brother Johann Christoph, who taught him how to play the organ. Bach went to school in Luneburg where his music skills excelled. In 1703, Bach was a part of the Duke of Weimar's orchestra. **Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759)** was a famous composer born in Germany in 1685. He was born in Halle in the Duchy of Magdeburg. By age seven he already began to display his musical talents as an adept performer of the harpsichord and pipe organ. When he was nine years old he started to compose music. His parents held different views on his musical aspirations; his father George wished him to study law, but his mother Dorothea encouraged his music.

He accepted the position of court composer to the Elector of Hanover, he was originally tentative to take a more permanent position because he wanted to make certain that his position was to his standard. The release of one of his most famous piece, Messiah, caused a lot of controversy in London. The controversy is frequently blamed for his alleged anxiety, depression and possibly strokes. He suffered from cataracts causing blindness before he died in 1795.

The term Baroque derives from a Portuguese word, meaning a pearl of irregular shape. It was originally used to imply extravagance, strangeness, and abnormality, only recently being applied to music from 1600 to 1750. Today, the connotations of the word have changed. It is used to describe something as using complex forms, ornamentation, and contrasting elements. This allows for the era to have been given its name today, containing complex and different music.
 * __Definition of Baroque__**

Baroque music was strongly supported and encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church after the Council of Trent, during which they decided that religious themes should be conveyed to the illiterate, rather than to the well-reformed, through the arts. After the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church needed to gain support, and did so by supporting music. Because Baroque music was stirring and emotional, it stimulated religious fervor and made people view the Church more favorably.
 * Baroque Supporters**

The world during this time had joined under one idea called natural law which meant that things such as music and art ended up being composed/created very similarly since most countries followed the same guidelines or natural law. This idea was guided by philosophers such as Newton and Galileo. One of Galileo's theories was that no matter what size or shape something is it will fall at the same rate because of gravity. (ThinkQuest).
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Historical References: The Enlightenment **

The Baroque era had not only been influenced by unity of ideas, but also inspired by the opulent court of Louis XIV of France. Wealth was beginning to flourish among the middle classes, along with the arts and sciences. Another important aspect that was growing at the time was religious fervor. By the Baroque ear, religious fervor had reached a climax as the Protestant-Catholic conflict in Europe erupted in war (Eras of Elegance).

Historical References
The world during the time period of the Baroqwue era was not only one in religous and intellectual upheaval but also politcal upheaval. The Spanish empire hauled tons of gold and silver from their colonies in the Americas. This fueled a large expanding empire and a rivalry with the English crown for control of the seas and of important territories. However, by 1650 Spains economy crumbled because it had devaluated the gold it had brought in. Thus, a power vacumm was left to be filled in Europe. In addition the Netherlands won their independence from Spain and created a new independent country to vie for power in Europe. Religous wars devestated Germany and a new French dynasty gained control of the throne.( Western Civilization Textbook).

The political upheaval of Europe did not directly affect the composers of the Barroque era. However, with out a doubt it created a sense of tension and uncertainty in Europe which may have influenced the compositions of the Barroque movement. Also, whenever a movment ofr timeperiod is being studied it is important to evaluate the historical context of the movement in order to better understand the movement itself. The Barroque era took place during a time of great religous, intelectual, and political turmoil.

=Historical References: The Enlightenment=

<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175,192,227,0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77,128,180,0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26,26,26,0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">The Enlightenment was the first time since the Greeks and Romans that free thinking was not only allowed but encouraged. From immediately after the fall of Rome knowledge and art had been restricted by the feudal lords and the church. However with new rights for people the and less superstition which allowed for learning to finally spread throughout Europe. This created an environment that endorsed all kinds of science, free thinking, and art including music. In France parties called salons were held where new ideas and arts were shown off and current events and other things discussed. It was in these mixing pots of ideas that music that wasn't religious became popular for the first time and the beginnings of baroque styled music was developed. It was in these events that having something new and interesting became popular and rich nobles began to become patrons for artists and musicians. It was these nobles who began to recruiting young composers and musicians such as J. S. Bach, who was recruited by Duke Johann Ernst. These numerous nobles began making a musician a productive job which allowed for music to make major steps towards what music is today.

Historical References: The Counter-Reformation
During the Baroque era the 'Counter- Reformation' was occurring in the Catholic Church. At this time, Pope Paul III started the 'Council of Trent' to end corruption in what was known as 'The Renaissance Church'. The Church, primarily driven by political bias, was instructed to return to the old teachings of earlier medieval times to strengthen the relationship between monks, priests, and the secular world. At this time, the clergy knew that many alterations would have to be made to make the Church more appealing and engaging to the common people. One way they decided to do this was by changing the traditional architecture of the Church and adapting a more Baroque style. This new style featured dramatic architecture, common described as theatrical, and artwork that encouraged deep emotional responses and intense spiritual connection. Wealthier members of society also appreciated the ostentatious style the Church had adapted and welcomed it as yet another way to flaunt their wealth and allow the public to measure their financial success.