3.+The+Baroque



__ **HISTORICAL THEMES** __

 **The increasing importance of scientific investigation**  Scientists such as Galileo Galilei (1564-1622) and Isaac Newton (1642-1727) broke away from the older model of science, whose purpose was the proof of an //a priori// assumption. Instead, through observation and experimentation, scientists devised hypotheses about why things happened.

 **The culmination of royal despotism**  A small group of leaders (kings, queens, and emperors) wielded enormous power in Europe. Such was their power that Louis XIV (1638-1715) was to declare, "L'état ç'est moi" ("I am the state").

 **Development of the New World**  The English, French and Spanish holdings in the New World continued to supply Europe with wealth. But as the generations passed, colonists began to feel a growing allegiance to their new homes. Ultimately, such feelings would lead to the independence of these lands.

 **Artificiality and marvelous effect were valued in the arts**  Sculptors, building on the techniques of artists such as Giovanni Bernini (1598-1680), found ways to create the illusion of energetic and even violent movement in their works. Painters created larger and more crowded canvases. Virtuosity was highly prized in all the arts.

__** MUSICAL CONTEXT **__

 **A Time of Experimentation**


 * Musicians embraced the idea that music could move the listener in a real and physical way.
 * Opera, with its blend of music and drama, was the full realization of this ideal.
 * In instrumental music, no less than in opera, composers experimented with ways of creating impressive effects.

**Expanding Roles for Music**


 * Music continued to be used as an important tool of statecraft.
 * The new and extravagant styles served as a rich adornment to religious services in both Catholic and Protestant traditions.
 * Music, especially opera, was as an important source of entertainment to the growing merchant and landed classes.

**A Growing Awareness of National Styles**


 * Distinct styles of both vocal and instrumental music developed in Italy, France and Germany.
 * Composers were aware of these differences and made use of them in their music. A French composer, for example, might label a piece "In the Italian Style".
 * The question of the superiority of various styles was often the subject of heated debate.

**The Full Equality of Instrumental Music**


 * New instrumental forms, such as the concerto and sonata developed.
 * Instrument makers created new types of instruments (especially wind instruments).
 * The violin moved to center stage as the most important string instrument.
 * Performers reached new heights of expression and technique. Virtuoso players (such as Archangelo Corelli and Antonio Vivaldi) reflected these abilities in their own compositions.
 * Even in vocal music, instruments played an important role. Instruments not only served as accompaniment, but often played equal roles with the voices.

__ **MUSICAL STYLE** __


 * The //basso continuo// is ever-present in Baroque music.
 * Textures are primarily melody and accompaniment or contrapuntal.
 * Voices and instruments were freely mixed.
 * Newly developed instruments provided a rich palette of tone color.
 * Rhythms are often derived from dance rhythms.
 * Melodies are ornate and often make use of dramatic leaps.
 * Harmony is based on major/minor tonality, and dissonances become more common.
 * Repetition and simple binary and ternary forms provide the basis for musical structure.