Baroque Period: Music, Art, and Society in the 17th-18th Centuries

Cultural Context

The Baroque is the name for the cultural period that developed in Europe in the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century. It was characterized by a pessimistic view of life and the importance of feelings.

Socioeconomic and Political Climate

The era was marked by social, economic, religious, and political depression. Social differences, continued wars, new outbreaks of bubonic plague, and slowed demographic growth were prevalent.

Artistic Movements

The artistic movements were dominated by a pessimistic vision of existence. Realism triumphed, with the main objective of presenting reality in a truthful and even crude way. Works of art were full of emotion. Artists made use of drama, contrast, movement, and ornamentation.

Musical Theory: Scale Degrees

A scale is a series of notes in order. To define the position of each note in a diatonic scale, we use scale degrees. Each degree has a name in Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII).

• 1st degree, or tonic: It gives the scale its name, is the tonal center of a piece, and is the note on which compositions usually end.
• 5th degree, or dominant: It is the second most important note in the scale.

Scale degrees define the start and the end of musical phrases.

Musical Phrases

There are two types of musical phrases:

• Antecedent phrases: Usually end on the 5th degree. They act as a musical call.
• Consequent phrases: They usually end on the 1st degree and act as a musical response.

Basso Continuo

Vocal and instrumental music was composed with the texture of melody-dominated homophony. An instrument of a higher register performed the melody, accompanied by a base called Basso Continuo. Harmonic instruments like the pipe organ, which enjoyed its golden age, the harp, or the harpsichord, were the main base of the orchestra.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was the most famous of a large family of musicians. Born in Germany in 1685, he died in 1750. He was an excellent organist and conductor. He wasn't very famous during his lifetime, but today he is one of the most renowned composers of Western music. One of his famous works is Toccata and Fugue in D minor.

What is a Fugue?

A Fugue is one of the most incredible exercises in musical logic, thought, and development.

Opera in the Baroque Period

The Opera is a secular vocal form that attempts to revive classical Greek theater. In Italy, opera seria (dramatic), written in Italian and based on mythology or heroic stories, was very popular. The most important opera was L'Orfeo (Mantua, 1607) by Claudio Monteverdi. Opera buffa (comic) has a libretto in the local language with everyday or popular themes.

Religious Vocal Music

Religious vocal music was still very important. Mass and motet were performed. In addition, polychoralism (the use of several choirs) started to be used more, to make music more dramatic.

The Cantata, the Oratorio, and The Passion were different forms used in the Church to spread its teachings.

Birth of the Orchestra

The Baroque period also saw the birth of the orchestra. Melodic instruments, such as a violin or flute, were used to play the main part, and they were accompanied by the basso continuo.

Main Baroque Forms

Fugue, suite, sonata, and concerto were the main Baroque forms.