The Baroque Period

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The Baroque Period

• 1600-1750
• for
• 8th Grade Music History Unit

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• Baroque music is characteristic by splendor,
  elaboration, theatricality, and emotionalism.

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Mood

• An overall characteristic is that a particular
  Baroque composition or movement trends to protect
  a single mood or expression of feeling.

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Melody

• A continuous spinning out of a single melody or
  melodic idea, often ornamented through
  improvisation.

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Rhythm

• Forward rhythmic drive with a strong sense of
  motion, even at slow tempos

6
Texture

• Balance of homophonic and polyphonic texture,
  consistent throughout a section or movement

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Timbre (Tone Color)

• Strings, winds, and harpsichord, with a
  conspicuous lack of percussion
• Modern violin family dominant
• Trumpet a favorite solo instrument

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Dynamics

• Abrupt shifts in levels of dynamics resulting in
  terraces of tonal intensity by increasing or
  decreasing the texture

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Form

• Concerto grosso, trio, sonata, suite
• Opera seria, oratorio, cantata, chorale, motet,
  mass

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Composer-J.S. Bach

• Born 1685
• Died 1750