English and German Baroque Music Masters

English Baroque Music

The English Baroque period saw figures like **Henry Purcell** leading the way. While the government structure evolved, English music began to meet European tastes, particularly for shipment to Europe. Purcell's works include the masque King Arthur, The Fairy-Queen, and the opera Dido and Aeneas. He also composed the full anthem.

Upon Purcell's death, the scene was prominently taken over by **George Frideric Handel**, born in Germany. Handel quickly became naturalized and produced major works. He is considered a master craftsman, with operas such as Julius Caesar and Alcina. Handel also excelled in the oratorio genre, composing Israel in Egypt, Jephthah, and the monumental Messiah.

Instrumentally, Handel composed significant music in the Concerto Grosso style and solo concertos, often with a dramatic flair, as seen in his suites, including the Water Music and the Music for the Royal Fireworks.

The final phase of the English Baroque coincided with the birth of a nationalistic style intended to counter Italian influence. While there are no major highlights from authors like Arne, he is noted for composing the anthem God Save the King.

German Baroque Music

The German Baroque period was marked by strong Italian influence, yet a reform sentiment pervaded the German people, originating the Kantorei (church choirs).

Predecessors to Bach

Bach's predecessors focused heavily on the organ. The major figure here was **Heinrich Schütz**, who confessed to Italian style, imitating Monteverdi and Gabrieli. His works are famous for sacred compositions.

• Dieterich Buxtehude: A unique German figure known for the technical development of the organ. He served as organist in Lübeck and organized preparatory concerts for the five Sundays before Christmas.
• Johann Kuhnau: He founded the music school and incorporated Biblical themes into his works.
• Johann Pachelbel: Also possessed great skill on the organ. He wrote sonatas, preludes, and sinfonias.

Johann Sebastian Bach: The Zenith of the Baroque

J.S. Bach is the great genius of Baroque music culture, dedicating his work to God. He combined Italian delicacy with practical contrapuntal style.

His output includes:

• Over 300 cantatas.
• Choral works for Christmas and Easter oratorios, and Passions, in addition to the Mass in B Minor.

Instrumentally, he showed a preference for the organ, to which he dedicated:

• Preludes and fugues, including The Well-Tempered Clavier (a collection of preludes and fugues).
• The six Brandenburg Concertos.
• The four orchestral suites (Suites for Orchestra).

His contemporaries were largely forgotten after his death in 1750. His sons continued his work; notable among them were **Wilhelm Friedemann**, **Carl Philipp Emanuel**, and **Johann Christoph**.