Baroque music is a type of Western art music. When we refer to the Baroque music period, we are referring to the time span that occurred approximately from 1600 to 1750 AD. In this section of Saed News, we will introduce Baroque music. Stay with us.
🎵The word "Baroque" has various meanings, including pearl, ornate, extravagant, bizarre, and eccentric, and it derives from the Portuguese word "barroco." However, the modern usage of the term was first introduced by the German critic Heinrich Wölfflin in his book Principles of Art History in 1915. In this context, what we will explore in this article is the Baroque as a modern artistic movement in the history of Western music, which began in the mid-16th century in Italy, particularly in the cities of Rome (architecture), Florence, and Venice (painting and music), and ended in the mid-18th century. Despite the fact that this artistic movement had different starting and ending points in each country (Italy, France, Germany), the historical period of 1600 to 1750 AD is generally considered to be its time span.
The nature of this period was intertwined with tension, striking effects, grandeur, magnificence, contrast, and decoration. As Philip Busan says about Baroque, it was "a world where all limits are harmoniously possible." Artists of this period, unlike those of the Renaissance, were not merely focused on creating or imitating nature, or praising God, but rather saw art as an expression of their imagination, passion, and love. In fact, all genres created in the Baroque period distanced themselves from nature. It is also worth noting that "the Baroque period in art coincided with an era often referred to as the Age of Absolutism, during which many rulers acted despotically toward their subjects." The end of this tyranny and despotism, by the late Baroque period, led to the formation of freedom movements in England and sparked the French Revolution of 1789. Learning music in this period, like the Renaissance, mostly took place in churches, through choral groups, or in families, where fathers taught their sons. For example, Bach, Vivaldi, Rameau, and Purcell all had musician fathers.
In the 17th century, music had a special place in Europe, especially in royal courts and among princes, to the extent that princes and nobles in France learned dance, singing, and music alongside swordsmanship and horsemanship. Therefore, princes and courts played a significant role in the development of music during this period, and often, well-known composers of the time were in the service of the court or the church. For example, Jean-Baptiste Lully worked for Louis XIV, and Johann Sebastian Bach was required to compose a cantata for every Sunday at the Leipzig church. Society did not regard the musicians and composers of this period as free artists but as music craftsmen.
Baroque music, as defined by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his Dictionary of Music, can be considered "music with unclear harmony, full of dissonances, a harsh and unnatural melodic line, and opposing movement [in the sections of polyphonic harmony]." The musical nature of Baroque can be understood through basso continuo or figured bass, counterpoint, and the later birth of harmony (it should be noted that counterpoint never lost its significance), contrast (one of the most important features of Baroque, such as contrast in volume), contrast between high and low notes, contrast in short vs. long rhythms, contrast between orchestra and solo instruments, contrast between pieces in a suite such as the Allemande vs. Courante and Sarabande vs. Gigue, and the ornamentation of long and sometimes short notes, which together form figurativeness.
Baroque music can be divided into three sections: early Baroque, middle Baroque, and late Baroque. Each section can be traced in three key countries of this century—Italy, France, and Germany. Baroque music originated in Italy and spread with the expansion of the Catholic Church throughout Europe. It is no surprise that Italian musicians were highly renowned across Europe, and their salaries in royal courts were higher than those of local musicians.
In medieval music, the text had priority over the music. However, over time, the polyphonic texture became increasingly complex, to the point that by the late Renaissance, the text of music was hard to hear. As a result, a group called the Camerata in Venice sought to return to the origins of perfect music, which they believed to be the music of the Roman Empire (where the text was first, followed by music). This new style, which combined a single vocal line with rhythms resembling speech and accompanying music, contributed to the birth of classical harmony. In Venice, Claudio Monteverdi wrote the first successful opera, Orfeo, in 1607, commissioned by the court of Mantua. A little later, in 1637, the first public opera house was built in Venice, a significant event that allowed the general public to experience opera, as until then, all high music was performed only for the aristocracy.
In France, Jean-Baptiste Lully, who had exclusively composed French tragedies at the court of Louis XIV (1672), wrote many ballets and comedies upon the king's request. However, it wasn't until the late 17th century that public opera houses were established. In Germany, the situation was different. The country had been devastated by the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), during which one-third of the population perished. As a result, Germany was more influenced by Italy in the south and France in the north. However, in late Baroque, German music flourished thanks to composers like Bach and Handel. In Italy, Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti, and in France, Rameau and Couperin brought Baroque music to its peak. The Baroque period ended in 1750 with the death of one of its most prominent composers, Bach.
The acceptance of the 16th-century theory that planets do not revolve around Earth made the world seem larger. Galileo helped us learn more about the cosmos. Technological advances, such as the invention of the telescope, made what seemed limited appear infinite. Great thinkers like Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, and Locke answered profound questions about existence.
Geniuses like Rubens, Rembrandt, and Shakespeare offered unique perspectives through their art. European nations became more involved in foreign trade and colonization, bringing Europeans into direct contact with parts of the world that were previously unknown. As a result, the growth of a new middle class pulled life away from a culture long dependent on the whims of the church and court.
Musicians of the Baroque period emerged in such an environment. Many of the early notable figures of Baroque music were from Italy, such as Monteverdi, Corelli, and Vivaldi. (By the mid-18th century, the focus of Classical Baroque music shifted to German composers.)
Many well-known Baroque music forms, including cantata, concerto, sonata, oratorio, and opera, originated in Italy. Although Italy played a significant role in the development of these genres, Baroque music also spurred new ideas about the necessity of a "national style" for other countries.
Differences between nations were often reflected in how music was composed and performed during this period. The contrast between Italy and France was especially evident. While some countries played a larger role in the movement, each nation had its unique contribution.
Opera: A dramatic performance where singing is accompanied by instruments and is staged. Operas often involve alternating songs where characters express emotions at specific points.
Oratorio: A large-scale musical drama with a religious theme, intended to be performed without stage action or costumes. Initially, "Oratorio" referred to a chapel hall, a building next to a church used for religious experiences distinct from the regular religious ceremonies.
Cantata: A large work consisting of a series of sequences, including arias, duets, and choruses. This form originated in Italy in the early 17th century and began as a secular piece for solo voice and basso continuo, likely intended for performance in private social gatherings.
Sonata: The term "sonata" used in Baroque refers to several types of compositions, typically in multiple movements, for one or more instruments (often violins) with basso continuo.
Concerto: Derived from the Italian concertare (to join together, unite), during the Baroque period, it evolved into various forms, uniting diverse sounds and instruments.
The characteristics of Baroque music are very specific and unique, much like the art and architecture of the period. Uniformity in the playing style of music was one of its most important features, meaning that if a piece began softly, it would continue in the same style. However, Baroque music for vocals differed in this aspect. In general, besides this feature, other characteristics of Baroque music include:
The use of a specific and common language in playing music, suitable for each human emotion.
Using Baroque tunes to express personal feelings.
The continuity and consistency of rhythm and playing style, except in rare cases.
The repetition of the main theme of music to create a question-and-answer effect.
The decoration of Baroque music with intricate details, alongside its uniform melody and cohesiveness.
Emphasis on rhythm in Baroque music, unlike Renaissance music.
The establishment of new harmony rules and the distinction between instrumental and vocal music.
The use of wind and keyboard instruments.
The appeal of melody lines like soprano and bass as the most important parts of the period.
The emergence of polyphonic textures toward the end of the Baroque period.
The use of contrast as an essential element in Baroque music drama.
The literal meaning of Baroque refers to skillfully ornamenting or making things perfectly. Baroque music represents the aristocracy and the power of European governments. The fundamental difference between Baroque music and Renaissance music lies in the emphasis on rhythm. During the Baroque period, wind instruments were more commonly used, and a new culture of keyboard instruments began to take shape.
