stupid piano history 9

Defining Characteristic of the Baroque era

Polyphony: musical texture in which 2 or more independent voices are woven together.

Basso Continuo

a foundational Baroque musical technique featuring a bass line and improvised chords, creating harmonic support.

ornamentation in music

Ornamentation in music is the artistic addition of decorative notes and flourishes (trills, turns, grace notes) to a main melody or harmony, making it richer, more expressive, and showcasing performer skill

terraced dynamics

Terraced dynamics are sudden, abrupt shifts in volume (loud to soft or soft to loud) in music, typical of the Baroque era (c. 1600-1750), creating distinct blocks of sound rather than gradual changes (crescendos/decrescendos).

major-minor tonal system

The major-minor tonal system is the foundation of most Western music, organizing notes around a central "tonic" note (tonality) using distinct major and minor scales, differing primarily in the third note of the scale, which creates contrasting moods: major (bright, happy) versus minor (dark, sad).

The affections

The Baroque-era musical theory, the Doctrine of the Affections, which held that music could evoke specific, standardized emotions (affections/passions) in listeners through musical devices

Antonio Vivaldi

An Italian Baroque composer and violinist (1678–1741), known for his energetic rhythms, clear melodies, and strong sense of contrast. He composed many concertos, especially The Four Seasons, which uses music to depict scenes from nature. Vivaldi helped develop the solo concerto form and influenced later composers, including J.S. Bach.

Who wrote the four seasons

Antonio Vivaldi

Ritornello

A recurring musical section (theme) that returns multiple times in a piece, especially in Baroque concertos. It is usually played by the full ensemble (tutti) and alternates with contrasting solo passages.

Programmatic writing

Music that is written to tell a story, describe a scene, or represent an idea outside of the music itself. The listener can often connect the music to a specific image, event, or narrative.

Poetic text

A text written in verse (such as a poem) that uses imagery, emotion, and rhythm rather than plain language. In music, poetic texts are often set to music in songs, art songs, and vocal works to enhance expression and meaning.

Concerto structure

The typical organization of a concerto, usually consisting of three movements:

1. Fast – energetic, often in ritornello form

2. Slow – lyrical and expressive

3. Fast – lively, often dance-like

Concertos feature a solo instrument contrasted with an ensemble (orchestra), especially common in the Baroque and Classical periods.

Concertino and ripieno

Terms used in Baroque concerto grosso music:

• Concertino: the small group of solo instruments that plays contrasting, more detailed passages

• Ripieno (or tutti): the full ensemble/orchestra that plays the main sections

The music alternates between concertino and ripieno, creating contrast in texture and volume.

Vivaldi birth and death

• Born: March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy

• Died: July 28, 1741 in Vienna, Austriavivaldi birth and death

What did Vivaldi work as at age 24

He worked at a orphanage which young girls were taught music

Idiomatic writing

Music that is written specifically to suit the natural strengths and characteristics of an instrument or voice, making it comfortable to play and showing the instrument at its best.

Ostinato

A short musical pattern or phrase that is repeated continuously, usually in the bass or accompaniment, creating a steady foundation.

Pedal point

A long, sustained note (usually in the bass) held while the harmonies above it change, creating tension and release.

Spring Four Seasons Movement I

• Tempo: Allegro

• Meter: 4/4

• Form: Ritornello form

• Poetic text:
  Birds celebrate the arrival of spring with joyful song; streams murmur gently; a sudden thunderstorm breaks, then calm returns.

Spring Four Seasons Movement II

• Tempo: Largo

• Meter: 3/4

• Form: Through-composed (simple lyrical form)

• Poetic text:
  The shepherd sleeps peacefully while his faithful dog keeps watch, barking softly.

Spring Four Seasons Movement III

• Tempo: Allegro

• Meter: 12/8

• Form: Ritornello form

• Poetic text:
  Nymphs and shepherds dance joyfully to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Subject and Answer

Terms used mainly in fugue writing (Baroque period):

• Subject: the main musical theme of a fugue, introduced first in one voice

• Answer: the second entrance of the subject, usually in a different key (often the dominant), played by another voice

Countersubjects

A secondary theme in a fugue that appears consistently alongside the subject or answer. It contrasts with the subject but is designed to work with it counterpointally.

Real answer

An exact transposition of the fugue subject into a new key (usually the dominant), with no changes to the intervals.

Tonal answer

A slightly adjusted version of the subject that alters some intervals to maintain the original key and avoid excessive modulation.

Johann Sebastian Bach

A German Baroque composer, renowned for his mastery of counterpoint, fugues, and sacred music. Famous works include the Brandenburg Concertos, The Well-Tempered Clavier, and numerous chorales. Bach’s music is celebrated for its technical brilliance, structure, and expressive depth.

Johann Sebastian Bach Birth and death

• Born: March 31, 1685 in Eisenach, Germany

• Died: July 28, 1750 in Leipzig, Germany

Clavier

A general term for keyboard instruments, especially in the Baroque period, including the harpsichord, clavichord, and early keyboard instruments. In Bach’s time, “clavier” referred to keyboard music in general, not one specific instrument.

Equal Temperament

A tuning system in which the octave is divided into 12 equal semitones, allowing music to be played in all keys with acceptable tuning.

Prelude

• Tempo: The style implies a quick tempo, in the manner of a toccata (a very fast, virtuosic, improvisatory character)

• Meter: 4/4

• Form: Incorporates aspects of binary form

• Texture: homophonic and polyphonic

Fugue

• Key: B flat major

  Tempo : moderately fast (Bach gave no tempo indications anywhere in the score)

  Meter: W

  Texture: polyphonic

  Number of voices: three

  Type of answer: tonal

  Countersubject:

  • two countersubjects are presented simultaneously throughout the fugue

  • they act as accompanying figures to the statements of the subject or answer

George Frideric Handel

A German-born Baroque composer who worked mainly in England. He is best known for his oratorios, especially Messiah, as well as operas and instrumental works. Handel’s music is noted for its strong melodies, dramatic expression, and clear structure.

George Frideric Handel birth and death

• Born: February 23, 1685 in Halle, Germany

• Died: April 14, 1759 in London, England

French Overture

A Baroque musical form with two main sections:

1. Slow opening with dotted rhythms and a grand, majestic style

2. Fast section that is lively and often fugal or imitative

It was commonly used to open operas, suites, and large works, especially by French and Baroque composers.

Messiah’s Overture

Title in original score : Sinfony

Genre: French overture

Key : E minor

Form: ||: A :|| B ||

Meter: T

Recitativo secco

A dry, speech-like recitative accompanied only by continuo (usually harpsichord and bass). It is used for dialogue and narration.

Recitativo accompagnato

A more dramatic recitative accompanied by the full orchestra, used for emotional or important moments.

Recitative

A type of vocal writing that imitates natural speech, used in operas and oratorios to tell the story or move the action forward. It has flexible rhythm, minimal melody, and emphasizes clear text delivery rather than musical beauty.

Word painting

A musical technique in which the music reflects the literal meaning of the words, such as high notes for “heaven,” low notes for “grave,” or fast passages for “running.”

Libretto

The text or script of an opera, oratorio, or musical, including all the spoken or sung words. The person who writes it is called a librettist.