Features of Baroque Music

by Lynn Edwards

The Baroque period of music itself started in around 1600, continuing until about the mid eighteenth-century. Keeping with the style of the period, such as in architecture, the word 'Baroque' itself stemmed from the word 'barroco' in Portuguese, meaning a misshapen pearl. The music of the period, therefore, was very fancy and decorated- exaggerated and often very extravagant.

Carefully written, Baroque music was written with intent to very much provoke feelings and emotions within whoever happened to be listening in to it. Containing bold contrasts between different sections, Baroque music really only contained two main dynamics- the loud and the soft. Sometimes these were mixed around or put into a different sequence, but the principle of providing a stark contrast remained the same.

Features of Baroque music occurred not just in instrumental works, but also in vocal parts, with the opera being introduced at around the same time. Also making an entrance to the scene was the concerto (an accompanied soloist- often with an orchestra), which brought out the best in instruments used, as well as the use of a large ensemble (the orchestra).

Since the Renaissance, Baroque music had clearly defined tonalities- that is to say, the pieces were very certainly either in a major or minor key. These were now fully developed- composers such as Bach and Albinoni, icons from the period, are now famous for pieces such as the Double Violin Concerto and the Adagio for Strings; both of which are in a minor key and have a clear structure, a repeating melody and contrasting dynamics.

Baroque music contained a very clear, definite structure, with different sections and parts being contrasted by not only dynamics but opposites in articulation. Unlike Renaissance music, who's base lines used 'the same musical texture as the upper voices,' Baroque music definitely emphasised the importance of the bass line much more- it would move in progressive sections, emphasising structure and the decorative melody floating on top, whilst still managing to vary and remain interesting.

The Baroque period of music was very famous, and still is, for it's introduction and development of the song and accompaniment structure, as well as the melody and bass and the continuo. The continuo, to put it in blunt terms, is in which several instruments may sustain a certain role (or pattern), to add to the texture of the music. Very distinctive in Baroque music were its many variations and ornamentations on the melody.

It was a very creative period in the history of music, in which composers such as Corelli, Albinoni and Vivaldi eagerly seized the chance to explore and experiment with new and exciting instruments such as the violin, introducing complicated tunes and works as they went along.

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