An era of new ideas and innovations in the arts literature and philosophy Italy led the way in new ideas and fashion Baroque comes from Barocco P ortuguese for pearl Most famous baroque composers were ID: 302470
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Slide1
The Baroque era (c. 1600-1750)
An era of new ideas and innovations in the arts, literature and philosophy
Italy led the way in new ideas and fashion
Baroque
comes from
Barocco
=
P
ortuguese for ‘pearl’
Most famous baroque composers wereSlide2
George Frideric
Handel
Born in Germany
in 1685
Devoted his life to music at age 18.
Famous pieces include ‘Water Music’, Music for the Royal Fireworks’ and ‘Messiah.
Went blind towards the end of his life and died in England in 1759. Buried in Westminster Abbey, London.Slide3
Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is an ‘Oratorio
’?
Musical work based on words and stories from the bible
Uses operatic forms such as
recitative, chorus
and
aria
and, originally, was acted out with scenery and full costume
Similar to opera but only used texts for the story that were taken from the bible
By the time of Handel, the ‘acting’ element to the oratorio had ceased.Slide4
Messiah
Most well-known of all the oratorios
Libretto
(story/words) is in three main parts – telling the story of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Part 1
– prophecies tell of the coming of the Messiah
;
story of Jesus’ birth
Part 2
– ‘passion’ music of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus
Part 3
– tells of Jesus’ resurrection from the deadSlide5
Background to Messiah
Composed in 1741 in just 24 days
Until 1741
Italian
operas were very popular but these became less popular – the idea of sacred opera in
English
proved to be a popular substitute.
The church forbade biblical stories to be
acted
out in the theatre so they were performed in
concert performances
instead.Slide6
Features of Baroque music
Ornamented
melodic
parts
Major/minor
key system (replaced modes)
Use of
Diatonic chords
of I, IV, V, II and VI
Basso continuo
(continuous bass)
Variety of musical textures, such as
monophonic, homophonic and polyphonic
Baroque orchestra
– strings, harpsichord, trumpets, horns and drums. Various woodwind instruments, but not standardized.
Prevalence of one
mood
Contrasting dynamics:
Loud/SoftSlide7
Styles of music found in an Oratorio
Recitative
– sung by a solo singer -
the basic idea is to get the words of the narration over with a minimum use of music. Accompanied by just a few instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaIf44hNex0&feature=related
Aria
– a solo song with instrumental accompaniment.
The music is more elaborate than in the recitative to display the vocal qualities and expertise of the singer.
Chorus
– performed by a choir -
sums up the action so far at that point in the drama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMaUt_0zkIc&feature=relatedSlide8
Title:
And the Glory of the Lord’ by G.F. HandelSlide9
Handel uses 4 contrasting musical ideas
One for each line of text
And the Glory of the Lord
shall be revealed
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
COPYSlide10
1. ‘And the Glory of the Lord’
Syllabic
= one note per syllable
First 3 notes outline
triad
of A major
Stepwise scale
ending
2. ‘shall be revealed’
Melismatic
= several notes per syllable
Use of two descending
sequences
3. ‘
and all flesh shall see it together’
Repetitive idea (3 statements of a descending pattern)
4. ‘for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it’.
Long,
repeated
notes
COPYSlide11
Sung by a choir (SATB)
S =
Soprano
High female voices
A =
Alto
Low female voices
T =
Tenor
High male voices
B =
Bass
Low male voices
COPYSlide12
Instruments in
‘And the Glory of The Lord’
Violins 1
Violins 2
Violas
Continuo bass
(‘cellos, doubles bass, harpsichord)
The orchestra would probably been quite small – about 16 players altogether.
COPYSlide13
General Points
Tempo
-The chorus is marked allegro (fast)
Time signature
-
The chorus is in 3/4 time
The lively triple time dance tempo
gives a feeling of ‘One in a bar’
Key signature
-
The home key is
A major
Dynamics
-
The music is quite
loud
throughout
COPYSlide14
Summary of main choral styles
Choral style
Example
Single-line writing (monophonic)
Bars 11-13
Four-part choir
(homophonic)
Bars 33 (beat 3) - 38
Simple imitation
Bars 17 (beat 3) onwards
Two ideas together
Bars 110-113
Doubling of parts
Bar 51 onwards ‘
for the mouth’Slide15
Copy out the Summary table (p15)
Answer questions 1-9 in full sentences. (p15)