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The Baroque Period of Music covers the times period of 1600 through 1750. It is somewhat
overlapped on the front end by the Renaissance and again overlapped on the hind-end by the
Classical period. This is the musical period of the great Johann Sebastian Bach of Germany
(1685-1750) , Frederick Handel of Germany (1685-1759), Antonio Vivaldi of Italy (1678-1741),
Claudio Monteverdi of Italy (1567-1643), Domenico Scarlatti of Italy (1659-1725), Henry Purcell
of Great Britain (1659-1695) and Dietrich Buxtehude of the Netherlands (1637-1707).
Other contributing composers, although not nearly as recognized, of this time period were:
Albioni, Biber, Blow, Caccini, Carimissi, Chambonnieres, Charpentier, Corelli, Couperin,
Frescobaldi, Froberger, Geminiani, Gluck, Lully, Metastasio, Pachelbel, Pepusch, Pergolesi, Peri,
Rameau, Sammartini, Scheidt, Schein, Schultz, Stradella, Tartini, Telemann, Torelli and Zachau.
The word Baroque comes from the Italian word barocco meaning bizarre, though probably
exuberant would be a better translation more accurately reflecting the sense. ... Later, during the early-to-mid 1900s, the
term baroque was applied by association to music of the 17th and early 18th century, and today
the term baroque has come to refer to a very clearly definable type or genre of music.
Everything about the Baroque style reflected the Grandiose and Resplendent. Baroque sculptors
and artists were clearly aware of the change. ... Music followed this
same complex, dark road to change. ... The baroque style erupted passion as was never seen before. ... The purpose of opera was to bring the
music to life through the emotion of the players, the intensity or flow of the music and the
excitement of the audience. ...
Operas in the baroque period kept up the Grandiose theme of the day and were fantastical tourist
attractions. One could see everything from mermaids to God’s descending on clouds, angels flying
from one side of the stage to the other and hear it all set to dramatic music. The “grand-ness” of
the Baroque opera expressed the spirit of a “grand” age.
Sonata
A Sonata, as defined in the Baroque era, is a composition in several movements for one to eight
instruments.
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