Baroque Accompanying Week 1

Oratorio

a large-scale work for orchestra and voices. It is similar to an opera, but based on religious theme. It does not have costumes, scenery or action

Cantata

a medium-length work that has a story based on love or myth. It has voices and instrumental accompaniment. It uses solos, chorus, and instrumental passages

Why was voice so important in Baroque/Renaissance Music?

Voice could speak words, which would convey emotion. Because the voice could convey meaning, it was considered more important than any other instrument.

Figured Bass

an accompanimental instruction where numbers were placed over a bass line. This would give intervals needed to fill out the accompaniment

Theorbo

a large lute with the neck extended to have long bass strings; used for accompaniment

Sonata da camera

Means chamber sonata. These are sets of dances put together in one piece. However, many movements were not dances

What pieces standardized the solo sonata and trio sonata?

Corelli’s four volumes of trio sonatas (op. 1-4) and his op. 5 violin sonatas

Solo sonata

a sonata where a bowed bass instrument played the bass line along the keyboard, so three people would play a solo sonata.

Trio sonata

two violin lines plus a figured bass, so four people would play this version of the sonata

What piece standardized the concerto form?

Corelli’s 6 Concerti Grossi

Concerto grosso

a piece for solo instruments accompanied by an orchestra

Vivaldian Solo Concerto

a single soloist (most commonly violin) played against a string orchestra and basso continuo in a fast-slow-fast movement pattern

Dance Suite: Instruments Used

harpsichord, lute, theorbo

Who standardized the da capo Aria?

Alessandro Scarlatti

Alessandro Scarlatti

composed over 600 cantatas

German cantata

became based in religion. Scored for several solo voices, 4-part chorus, and instruments. Text based on liturgy

Italian opera

international style and became popular in Germany. Adapted by Haydn and Mozart

French opera

tended to be larger-scale, huge sets, and included lots of instrumental music for ballet

Keyboard Accompaniment in Baroque Era

almost exclusively figured bass

What does it mean if you find keyboard music from Baroque with full accompaniment written out?

It was created by someone other than the composer and was not sanctioned by them

Main Accompanying Instrument in Baroque Era

Keyboard

Other Main Accompanying Instruments in Baroque Era (Early):

Cello & Harpsichord

Other Main Accompanying Instruments in Baroque Era (Late):

Double Bass, viola da gamba, organ, guitar, harp, theorbo, and bassoon

Violine

name for double bass

Bach Trios

(1) melody instrument
(2) right hand of harpsichord
(3) left hand of harpsichord

Which era did the figured bass start to go away?

Galant, with composers like CPE Bach

Which genre continued using figured bass after the Baroque Era?

Operatic Recitativo secco

Rules of Cello Accompaniment (4)

1) Follow words and notes of singer;
2) Strike the bow note that supports the chord;
3) Play notes as written and have an ear for harmony;
4) Keep the rhythmic pulse