The Baroque
'Baroque' was first used to describe the style of European 17th and 18th century churches and public buildings and hence means ornate, bizarre, exuberant, extravagant. The Baroque styles are many : early,middle and late Baroque, Italian ,French,English, and German Baroque.Plus also the individual style of composers. It was between the Late Renaissance and Early Classical periods.
Johann Sebastian Bach
1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include theBrandenburg concertos, the Mass in B minor, The Well-Tempered Clavier, two Passions, keyboard works, and more than 300cantatas, of which nearly 100 cantatas have been lost to posterity.Bach is now considered to be one of the greatest German baroquecomposers. During his lifetime however he was famed as an organist rather than as a composer.
He came from a dynasty of 7 generations of musicians extending from the 16th to the 18th century. Apparently he had 76 male relatives who were musicians and 53 of them were called Johann!(Quite funny haha )
He came from a dynasty of 7 generations of musicians extending from the 16th to the 18th century. Apparently he had 76 male relatives who were musicians and 53 of them were called Johann!(Quite funny haha )
I've heard this in miss Katie's History of Music class and thought it was one of Bach's AMAZING pieces!!!
This is Toccatta and Fugue in D minor(organ) by Bach
This is Toccatta and Fugue in D minor(organ) by Bach
I also love this Piece!! It's the prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No.1
Arcangelo Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli, Italian late baroque composer. 17 February 1653, Fusignano, nr Bologna, Italy
He has been called:
- "The Father of the Concerto Grosso"
- "Founder of Modern Violin Technique"
- "The World's Greatest Violinist"
He was Influenced by : Albinoni, Handel, Pergolesi, Scarlatti, Telemann, Vivaldi
His Compositions :48 trio sonatas, 12 Violin sonatas, 12 concerti grossi.Performed as the leading violinist of his day.Directed and conducted concerts on a regular basis. He was also an outstanding teacher. Antonio Vivaldi was his star student.
He has been called:
- "The Father of the Concerto Grosso"
- "Founder of Modern Violin Technique"
- "The World's Greatest Violinist"
He was Influenced by : Albinoni, Handel, Pergolesi, Scarlatti, Telemann, Vivaldi
His Compositions :48 trio sonatas, 12 Violin sonatas, 12 concerti grossi.Performed as the leading violinist of his day.Directed and conducted concerts on a regular basis. He was also an outstanding teacher. Antonio Vivaldi was his star student.
What is a Concerto Grosso?
Corelli didn't invent the concerto grosso (plural = concerti grossi) but he did develop it, popularise it, teach it and write the first great works in that genre.
It consists of two contrasting groups of players: a small group of lead instrumentalists or soloists - often two violins and a cello with maybe harpsichord and lute- and a full orchestra (like a modern backing group).
In the video below you can see how this works.
It consists of two contrasting groups of players: a small group of lead instrumentalists or soloists - often two violins and a cello with maybe harpsichord and lute- and a full orchestra (like a modern backing group).
In the video below you can see how this works.
Corelli - Sarabande
George Frideric Handel
Born in Germany, Handel moved to England when he was 25 and became a British citizen when he was 42.
One of the great baroque composers, he is best known for his grand oratorio 'Messiah', his Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks.In addition to these he produced a formidable body of work including about 50 operasHis Genres operas, oratorios, organ, harpsichord, concerti grossi
* the Messiah (including the 'Hallelujah chorus')
* Water Music
* Music for the Royal Fireworks
* The Cuckoo and the Nightingale
* The Harmonious Blacksmith
* Concerti Grossi
* 42 operas
* 29 oratorios
* 120 duets and trios and cantatas
* 16 organ concerti
* numerous chamber music pieces
One of the great baroque composers, he is best known for his grand oratorio 'Messiah', his Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks.In addition to these he produced a formidable body of work including about 50 operasHis Genres operas, oratorios, organ, harpsichord, concerti grossi
* the Messiah (including the 'Hallelujah chorus')
* Water Music
* Music for the Royal Fireworks
* The Cuckoo and the Nightingale
* The Harmonious Blacksmith
* Concerti Grossi
* 42 operas
* 29 oratorios
* 120 duets and trios and cantatas
* 16 organ concerti
* numerous chamber music pieces
Georg Frideric Handel - Rinaldo - "Lascia ch'io pianga"
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi, 'the Red Priest', Italian 17th century Baroquecomposer, violinist, teacher, priest, opera impresario. His Four Seasonsis the most played piece of classical music in the world.His father, a talented violinist, was his first teacher. They also performed together.
At the age 15 he began studying for the priesthood. 10 years of study during which he also developed his musical and composing talents.
At the age 25 ordained priest. Nicknamed 'the Red Priest' because of his red hair.Appointed violin teacher at the Ospedale della Pietà orphanage for girls in Venice. From age 40 he travelled a lot and was often away working on other projects around Italy, Germany, Austria, Bohemia, France and Holland. He had an agreement with the Pietà to regularly send them two concerti per month and to rehearse and teach there when he was in Venice.At age 62 he moved to Vienna where he was to be appointed composer to the Imperial Court of Charles VI, one of his big fans. Unfortunately Charles died just after he arrived, leaving Antonio without an income and in dire straits.Soon after this tragedy Antonio himself fell ill and died.
At the age 15 he began studying for the priesthood. 10 years of study during which he also developed his musical and composing talents.
At the age 25 ordained priest. Nicknamed 'the Red Priest' because of his red hair.Appointed violin teacher at the Ospedale della Pietà orphanage for girls in Venice. From age 40 he travelled a lot and was often away working on other projects around Italy, Germany, Austria, Bohemia, France and Holland. He had an agreement with the Pietà to regularly send them two concerti per month and to rehearse and teach there when he was in Venice.At age 62 he moved to Vienna where he was to be appointed composer to the Imperial Court of Charles VI, one of his big fans. Unfortunately Charles died just after he arrived, leaving Antonio without an income and in dire straits.Soon after this tragedy Antonio himself fell ill and died.