Baroque Music History and Key Characteristics

The music of the Baroque period is related to a European cultural era, ranging from the birth of opera in the 17th century (around 1600) until the mid-18th century, marked by the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750. This is one of the longest, most fertile, revolutionary, and influential musical periods in Western music history.

Key Features of Baroque Music

Its most striking feature is the use of basso continuo and the monumental development of tonal harmony, which differs profoundly from previous modal styles. The Baroque aesthetic is characterized by the predominance of the emotional over the rational. This era saw the rise of the vocal recitative, in which the pace of the word determines the melodic discourse—adhering to the principle that "music must be a servant of poetry"—and a boom in pure instrumental music.

Musical Developments

During this time, the sonata, the concerto grosso, and the French ballet were developed. Unlike earlier eras, sacred music and secular music coexisted in harmony, both forming essential parts of the musical profession.

Famous Baroque Composers

• Georg Friedrich Handel
• Johann Sebastian Bach
• Antonio Vivaldi

Major Musical Forms

Opera

Opera is a stage action that is sung and features instrumental accompaniment.

Sonata

The sonata is the name given to various musical forms employed from the Baroque period to the experimental experiences of contemporary music. The classical model of a sonata is understood as both a complete piece of music and a compositional procedure that usually uses two contrasting themes, known as sonata form.

Choir

A choir, choral group, or vocal ensemble is a group of people who perform vocal music in concert. This represents the collective interpretation of works that are sung or require the intervention of the voice.

Concert

The concert is a musical form used since approximately 1600, during the Baroque era. In the Classical and Romantic periods, it usually adopted sonata form for one of its movements. During the Classical period, it began to be written for a solo instrument and orchestra, a trend that continued into the Neo-Romantic period. In these concerts, there is typically a solo instrument and orchestra; often, there is a moment where the soloist plays without accompaniment, showcasing their technique.