Post on 16-Dec-2015
transcript
Baroque Instrumental Music
This is the first time that we see instrumental music sharing the same stature as vocal music.
For the first time, there was a clear separation of Vocal and Instrumental music
Baroque Instrumental Practice
There were no ‘classics’, so contemporary composers were very prolific
Modulations and chromatic harmonies and melodies.
Virtuosity (music that shows off the technical skills of the performer)
Baroque Instrumental Evolution
Early Baroque Instrumental music uplifted musical line rather than blend. Late Baroque music will focus more on the idea of blend and refined orchestration.
Keyboard Instruments
Three main instrumentsOrgan: sacred venues and some home chapels• Tracker Action• Great, positive, and portative organ
Harpsichord: basso continuo for orchestra and dance music. Solo instrument. Strings plucked by a Plectrum.Clavichord: strings struck by hammers made originally from bone. Precursor to the piano.
Harpsichord, ca. 1675Made by Michele TodiniRome, Italy
Harpsichord, ca. 1675Made by Michele TodiniRome, Italy
Harpsichord
The keyboard, allowed composers to think
vertically (tonal system) rather than
horizontally (modal system)
more than one note could be played at a time.
Types of Instrumental Music
Improvisatory styleToccata
Prelude
Fantasia
Existing melodyChorale prelude
Theme & Variations
Fugal styleRicercare
Fantasia
Capriccio
Fugue
Dances
ToccataFrom Italian verb toccare (to touch)
A work with very fast monophonic melodies with chromatic harmonies;
Free, irregular metres and rhythms;
Often improvised on the organ
The Chorale Prelude
Originally, an introduction to a hymn (chorale); Bach was the preeminent composer of Chorale Preludes
Later written down as a composition (a single variation on a chorale)
The Baroque Suite
Instrumental dance music from the Renaissance period now refined in a new style of sound and compositional technique.Pastiche of different international styles of dance forms.First function was dancing at social functions.Other functions: dinner music.
Overture (Optional)Allemande Germany 4/4 time Moderate Courante French 3/4 time Moderate Sarabande Spain 3/4 time Slow
Other Dances (Optional)MinuetGavotteBourree
Gigue England 6/8 time Fast
Order of the Dance Suite
Types of Dances
Allemande German Quadruple
Courante French Triple
Jig (Gigue) English/French 6/8 or 6/4
Sarabande Spanish Triple
Minuet Italian peasant Triple
Gavotte French pastoral Duple peasant
Bourree’ French lively Duple peasant
Passepied Fast French minuet
Triple peasant
Jacques Champion Chambonnieres (1601-1672)
the founder of the French
harspichord school
not the first, but the first with “celebrity”
Jacques Champion de Chambonnières (c.1601-1672)
influenced Couperin and Rameau
Chambonnieres, D’Anglebert, and de la Guerre were important early clavecinists
“clavecin” is French for “harpsichord”
François Couperin 1668-1733
He was known as Couperin le Grand"
(Couperin the Great) to distinguish him from the other members of his musically talented
family.
Innovations
Instrument building familiesStradivarius, Guarneri, and Amati
StringsCat gut
Slightly different playing technique….bowing
Woodwinds: mellow sound as opposed to a more brassy sound in modern times.
Innovations
BrassOriginally a military instrument for signals
Without valves
Key changes made by inserting longer or shorter crooks in the horn.
The Sonata
Evolved from the Renaissance canzona, which had several contrasting sections
Early in the 17th century, “sonata” referred to any piece for instruments
Later, “sonata” meant a piece for 1 or 2 melody instruments with basso continuo
The Sonata
Chamber Sonata: Sonata da CameraA group of dances.
Number of movements vary
Church Sonata: Sonata da ChiesaSerious collection of pieces
Containing polyphonic/contrapuntal texture.
Often 4 movements SFSF
The Sonata
Trio Sonata: sonata for any combination of two instruments and basso continuo. (which means 4 players)
Archangelo Corelli (1653-1713)
Studied in Bologna-center of violin playing in Northern Italy.
Worked in Rome under the patronage of several wealthy benefactors.
The Concerto
A three movement piece (FSF) music that is created from two masses or bodies of sound.
Concertare – to contend with or to compete with.
The Two Masses of Sound
Concertino: small group.
Tutti or ripieno: large group (orchestra)
tutti (all) ripieno (full)
Three types of concerto
Solo concerto: A concerto featuring a soloist contending with an orchestra.
Concerto Grosso: A concerto featuring a small group contending with a larger group.
Concerto ripieno: A concerto in which all take part; no long solos
Concerto
Several contrasting movements1st movement uses ritornello form
Contrast between performing groups is VIMP
Orchestra (aka tutti)15-25 strings
+ harpsichord
louder dynamicssimpler music
Soloist(s)1 to 5 playersmay feature woodwinds, brasssofter dynamicstechnical, virtuosic
vs
Movement 1 fast, energetic, ritornello form
Ritornello form a way of arranging musical ideas (melodies?) in a piece