Baroque (1600 - 1750)

Genre

Categories of music such as opera, Gregorian chant, and organum.

Opera

A musical drama sung with no spoken words, acted with costumes and set pieces.

Basso Continuo

Continuous bass accompaniment using plucked and bowed instruments.

Tonic (I) and Dominant (V)

First and fifth notes of the scale, forming a common tonal pattern.

Oratorio

Musical storytelling usually with sacred stories, lacking acting and scenery.

Harpsichord

An instrument with plucked strings, associated with basso continuo and solo performances.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Baroque composer known for works like the Fugue in C minor and the Well-tempered Clavier.

Fugue

A polyphonic composition with imitative counterpoint, consisting of subjects, answers, and episodes.

Dance Suite

Multi-movement instrumental genre with dance-based movements like Minuet, Sarabande, and Gigue.

Lutheran Chorales

Spiritual melodies in German, often based on chant melodies or popular songs.