Baroque Era Essentials: Art, Music, and Key Concepts

Understanding the Baroque Era

What Does "Baroque" Mean?

The term "Baroque" describes a period where artists and art forms were often characterized by their ornate and elaborate monuments. Key figures associated with this era include San Juan de la Cruz, Santa Teresa de Jesús, Luis de Góngora, and Francisco de Quevedo. Notable architectural examples include the Valladolid Cathedral and the Collegiate Monastery of San Isidro.

When Did the Baroque Period Begin and End?

The Baroque era typically spans from 1600 to 1750.

Baroque Vocal Music Forms

Forms of Organized Vocal Music: Religious and Profane

Baroque vocal music is broadly categorized into two forms:

• Profane: The opera, a baroque musical form that presents a narrative through sung drama.
• Religious: The oratorio, a vocal narrative form based on religious themes.

Defining the Oratorio

An oratorio is a large-scale musical composition for instrumental and sung parts. It is not represented on stage but involves a narrator, solo voices, and an orchestra. An overture may also be included.

What is a Passion?

A Passion is a musical genre that narrates events related to the death of Christ.

The Cantata

A cantata is a vocal work, often resulting from the evolution of the madrigal. It can be religious or secular and typically features arias and recitatives (or "parties" as in parts/sections).

Baroque Opera

Opera originated from the dialogued madrigal.

Parts of an Opera

The main parts of an opera include:

• Overture
• Recitative
• Aria
• Chorus
• Interlude

Overture and Interlude Defined

The Overture is the initial part of the opera. An Interlude refers to musical parts inserted between fragments or acts.

First Opera and Opera Buffa

The first opera was created by the Camerata Fiorentina, notably by Jacopo Peri (often associated with Dafne) around 1597.

Opera Buffa is a genre based on facts of daily life, exemplified by La Serva Padrona.

First Opera Theater

The first public opera theater opened in Venice in 1637 (Teatro San Cassiano).

What is a Pasticcio?

A pasticcio is an opera created by combining arias and musical pieces from other existing operas to form a new work.

The Zarzuela

The Zarzuela, originating in the 17th century, is a Spanish lyrical-dramatic genre where singing and spoken dialogue are interspersed.

Parts of a Zarzuela

A Zarzuela typically includes:

• An opening (start)
• Dances and "cuadros de aperitivos" (short, often comedic scenes or interludes)
• "Human tones" (likely referring to arias or vocal numbers that express human emotions).

Baroque Musical Ornaments

What is a Mordent?

A mordent is a musical ornament consisting of one to four small, rapid notes attached to a main note. Its "classes" or types can include: upward or downward, direct or circular, and anticipatory or retardatory.

What is a Trill?

A trill (or trino) is a musical ornament that involves alternating as fast as possible between the main note and an adjacent note. Common types include the Baroque trill, Classical trill, and Romantic trill.

Baroque Instrumental Practices

Understanding Basso Continuo

Basso Continuo is a fundamental accompaniment practice characteristic of Baroque music.

Instruments for Basso Continuo

Instruments typically used for basso continuo include melodic instruments (like cello or bassoon), polyphonic instruments (like harpsichord or lute), and bass instruments (like violone).

Instruments of the Baroque Orchestra

The Baroque orchestra primarily consisted of: bowed string instruments (violins, violas, cellos, basses), wind instruments (flutes, oboes, bassoons, trumpets), and sometimes percussion.

Who Were the Luthiers?

Luthiers are skilled individuals who construct or repair string instruments, particularly bowed instruments (like violins) and plucked instruments (like lutes or guitars).

Baroque Instrumental Forms

The Concerto Grosso

The Concerto Grosso is a significant form of Baroque ensemble music, typically featuring a small group of soloists (the concertino) contrasted with a larger orchestral group (the ripieno). It usually comprises four to six movements.

Key Instrumental Forms of the Baroque

Major instrumental forms of the Baroque era include:

• Prelude and Toccata
• Sonata
• Suite
• Fugue
• Concerto Grosso
• Solo Concerto

What is a Suite?

A suite is an instrumental work consisting of several movements, often based on different dance forms, but typically sharing the same key or tonality.

Dances of the Baroque Suite

Common dances found within a Baroque suite include:

• Allemande (German)
• Courante (French)
• Sarabande (Spanish)
• Gigue (English)