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RONDO FORM (RONDEAU)

  • Structure: A B A C A D A (etc.)

    • One theme returns after a contrasting section of similar length.

    • Comparable to ritornello form.

  • Example: Henry Purcell – Rondeau from Abdelazer (1695)

BAROQUE COMPOSERS
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

  • Background

    • Father was a violinist in St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.

    • Antonio also played the violin.

  • Visual Representation

    • Francois Morellon de la Cave – Portrait of Antonio Vivaldi (1723)

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) - Education and Career

  • Teaching and Composition

    • Taught at/composed for the School of the Pietà.

    • The institution was an all-girls school.

    • Noted as one of the finest orchestras in Italy at that time.

  • Visual Representation

    • Francois Morellon de la Cave – Portrait of Antonio Vivaldi (1723)

VIVALDI’S MUSIC (CONCERTO)

  • Genres

    • Composed various music forms (church music, operas, etc.).

    • Most recognized for his solo concertos.

VIVALDI'S MUSIC (CONCERTO)
SOLO CONCERTO

  • Definition:

    • A piece written specifically for a single soloist accompanied by an orchestra.

VIVALDI'S MUSIC (CONCERTO)
Characteristics

  • Renowned for "vigorous rhythms" in fast movements.

  • Notable use of consecutive, repeating scales and arpeggios.

ARPEGGIO

  • Definition:

    • A broken chord, where the notes are played in succession instead of simultaneously.

    • Example: C Major chord and C Major arpeggio.

CADENZA (It: cadence)

  • Definition:

    • A special unaccompanied showpiece often found near the end of a concerto movement or aria.

    • Typically indicated by a fermata over an inconclusive chord.

SOLO CONCERTO - Repetition of Characteristics

  • Reiterates the significance of "vigorous rhythms" and the use of scales and arpeggios.

  • Example: Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto in D Major, RV 212 (1712)

CONCERTO GROSSO

  • Definition:

    • Involves a small group of soloists (2-4) contrasted against a larger group (tutti), which can consist of 8 to 20 or more musicians.

  • Instrumentation

    • The tutti section primarily features string instruments alongside a harpsichord played from a basso continuo.

    • Often associated with private orchestras in court settings.

CONCERTO GROSSO - Structural Elements

  • Composition:

    • Typically consists of several contrasting movements.

    • Commonly composed of three movements:

    1. First Movement: Fast (often in ritornello form)

    2. Second Movement: Slow, more lyrical and quieter

    3. Third Movement: Fast again (often in ritornello form)

CONCERTO GROSSO - RITORNELLO FORM

  • Essential Elements of Ritornello Form:

    • Involves alternation between tutti (full orchestra) and solo sections.

RITORNELLO FORM

  • Components:

    • The ritornello (refrain) is a theme played by the tutti.

    • May be presented in different keys and fragments.

    • Concludes with the entire ritornello returning in the home key.

RITORNELLO FORM Structure

  • Example Structure:

    1. Tutti (f): ritornello in the home key

    2. Solo

    3. Tutti (f): ritornello fragment

    4. Solo

    5. Tutti (f): ritornello fragment

    6. Solo

    7. Tutti (f): ritornello in the home key

CONCERTO GROSSO

  • Example:

    • Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto for Four Violins in B Minor, Op. 3 No. 10 (1711)

(BAROQUE) PROGRAM MUSIC

  • Definition:

    • Instrumental music designed to evoke a story, poem, idea, or scene.

    • Considered a precursor to development in the Romantic period.

THE FOUR SEASONS

  • Composer: Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons (1718-20)

    • Spring (Concerto No. 1 in E Major)

  • Musical Meaning and Imagery:

    • Allegro: Spring arrives joyfully, with birds singing and brooks flowing.

    • The sky turns dark: Thunder and lightning announce a storm.

    • After silence, birds resume their songs.

    • Largo e pianissimo sempre: In a meadow, a goatherd sleeps beside his dog.

    • Allegro: Nymphs and shepherds dance during Spring's glory.

ORNAMENTATION

  • Definition:

    • A musical ornament where there is rapid alternation between two tones a whole or half step apart.

    • Example: Trill.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

  • Development of Suites:

    • Composers like Händel and Bach produced sets of instrumental pieces classified as suites.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Suites

  • Historical Background:

    • Originated in the Medieval period, where they were initially groups of dances.

    • Movements were thematically or tonally linked (same key but varied tempo, meter, and character).

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

  • Example: G.F. Handel - Water Music Suite No. 2 (1717)

BAROQUE COMPOSERS
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

  • Significance:

    • His death symbolized the conclusion of the Baroque period.

  • Background:

    • Came from a long lineage of musicians (father, grandfather, great-grandfather).

  • Visual Representation:

    • Elias Gottlob Haussmann – Portrait of J.S. Bach (1748)

BAROQUE COMPOSERS - J.S. BACH

  • Family:

    • Had 20 children, 9 of whom survived to adulthood; 4 became composers:

    • Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach

    • Wilhelm Friedemann Bach

    • Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach

    • Johann Christian Bach

  • Visual Representation:

    • Elias Gottlob Haussmann – Portrait of J.S. Bach (1748)

J.S. BACH - Professional Work

  • Roles:

    • Director of music at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany.

    • Responsible for training musicians at the St. Thomas School.

    • Directed the Collegium Musicum, a student organization.

  • Visual Representation:

    • St. Thomas Church – Leipzig, Germany (13th century, with renovations in 1884-89)

J.S. BACH - Additional Contributions

  • Guided organ students and performed organ recitals.

  • Initiated many works with his students at a nearby coffee house, Café Zimmermann.

  • Visual Representation:

    • Café Zimmermann, detail of an engraving by Johann George Schreiber [de], circa 1720.

KEYBOARD WORKS

  • Recognition:

    • Many of Bach’s renowned compositions emerged from his collection of exercises titled The Well-Tempered Clavier.

    • The collection consists of preludes and fugues.

KEYBOARD WORKS - The Well-Tempered Clavier

  • Definition:

    • The term "Clavier" encompasses any keyboard instrument of the era (including harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano, and organ).

INSTRUMENT TYPES

  • Harpsichord: Originally constructed by Andreas Ruckers in Antwerp (1646) and remodeled by Pascal Taskin in Paris (1780).

  • Clavichord: Italian clavichord depicted from the naval battle of 1571, displayed in Musée de la Musique, Paris.

  • Fortepiano: A 1720 fortepiano by Bartolomeo Cristofori, shown in Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

KEYBOARD WORKS - Prelude and Fugue Definition

  • Prelude: An introduction or preface to another work; can stand alone.

  • Fugue: A complex polyphonic composition centered around one main theme (subject), where various melodic lines (voices) imitate the subject.

J.S. BACH - The Well-Tempered Clavier

  • Purpose:

    • Designed "for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study."

  • Specific Example:

    • J.S. Bach – Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 (1722) featuring notable arpeggios and emotional mood.

AVE MARIA - BACH/ GOUNOD

  • Composition Year: 1853.