Baroque Concerto from ppt

•  What is a Baroque concerto?

•      A concerto is a piece of music for one or more solo instruments. The soloists are accompanied by an orchestra.

•     The idea that instruments should be grouped together in a standard way created the first versions of the modern orchestra. The strings were the most important instruments with woodwind / brass instruments being added.

•     An important type of instrumental music in the Baroque era was the concerto. Two of the greatest composers of concertos were Corelli and Vivaldi. Other composes such as Bach were also very influential of the time.

•The Baroque Concerto

From around 1600 – 1750.

The Baroque period saw the development of new musical styles with the introduction of the concerto, the sonata and the opera.

There are two types of Baroque concertos:

•     The Solo Concerto

•     The Concerto Grosso (group of soloists)

   The Concerto Grosso  

written for a group of solo instruments (the Concertino) plus a larger ensemble (The Ripieno)

The solo group

• was often 2 violins and a cello, but this can vary.

• •Often supported by a basso continuo accompaniment.

• 

•Key Vocabulary

•      Homophonic Texture- All parts moving in harmony (same rhythm, different notes)

•      Polyphonic/contrapuntal Texture- Independent melodies played at the same time.

•      Balanced phrases- Phrase length of an even number.

•      Ornamentation - Decorative notes that help to fill out a melody. e.g. Trills, Turns, Grace notes

•      Continuo (Basso Continuo)- Instruments providing a harmonic (and bass) accompaniment in Baroque music, usually harpsichords and cello

•      Harpsichord – a keyboard instrument used before the piano was invented. The notes are very short and cannot be held down.

•    Typical Features

•    Use of the basso continuo Basso Continuo: The bass accompaniment in Baroque period music made up of the harpsichord/organ and a cello or bassoon.

•    A small orchestra built up mainly of strings (recorders, horns, trumpets, oboes also used)

•    Imitation/dialogue between instruments

•    Contrapuntal/polyphonic texture

•    Alternate  “tutti” (orchestra) and “solo” sections

•    Difficult soloist sections – Virtuosic (hard to play)

•    ‘Terraced’ dynamics – Sudden changes in dynamics.

•    Simple harmony/chords= Diatonic

•    Clear cadences

•    Balanced phrases

•    Decorated melodies using ornamentation (e.g. trills)

•Structure of a Concerto Grosso

•     Usually 3 movements (fast-slow-fast)

•     The first movement is frequently in ritornello form.

Ritornello means “little return” a form in which the whole orchestra, (the ripieno), alternates playing the theme (ritornellos) with sections (episodes) played by soloists (the concertino)

•    Ornaments

•    Example of a Concerto Grosso

•    Corelli Concerto Grosso Op6 No 2

•    Brandenburg Concerto No.4 in G major

Learn the definitions

•     Solo Concerto

•     Concerto Grosso

•     Concertino

•     Ripieno

•     Virtuoso

•     Basso Continuo

•     Harpsichord

•     Ritornello