Page 103 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

BAROQUE 1600–1750 101

See also: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott 78–79 ■ The Art of Fugue 108–111 ■
Elijah 170–173 ■ The Dream of Gerontius 218–219

dramatic resource. Breaking the Many of the genres heard in choral
bounds of pure accompaniment, music of this time are the same as
the ever-more prominent orchestra those found in secular music. As
could play a far more varied and church composers were required
expressive role, which helped to to write music for more than 60
fuel the popularity of Baroque services a year, it was not unusual
opera. This tended to flourish in for them to remodel secular pieces,
mercantile centers, where wealthy as Johann Sebastian Bach did
individuals joined the nobility to (1685–1750) when writing his
enjoy the spectacle, offering rich Christmas Oratorio (1734–1735).
opportunities for composers such
as George Frideric Handel. Most Evolving choral genres
citizens, however, experienced the During the High Baroque period, Johann Sebastian Bach
new musical developments during the form of the Mass in north
church services. Germany evolved from the Born in Eisenach, Germany,
prima pratica (“first practice”), in 1685, Bach was the most
Dramatizing church music characterized by a polyphonic prominent of a long line of
Composers soon realized that the setting of the most important musicians. Taught music first
operatic techniques and music parts of the church service (Kyrie, by his father, then his brother,
that infused classical myths with Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) Bach was appointed as a court
contemporary relevance could with a choir and an instrumental musician in Weimar on leaving
serve liturgical purposes equally, accompaniment, into a much school in 1703. His reputation
bringing life to the biblical texts, grander entity. This was due as an outstanding keyboard
which many in the congregation partly to the influence of Italian player quickly spread. He had
soon written the first of more
could not themselves read. Since traditions, which, after 1712, Bach than 200 cantatas.
operas were not permitted to be encountered through the music of In 1717, Bach moved to
staged during the six weeks of Antonio Vivaldi. The orchestra Köthen to take up a postion as
Lent, composers would present grew in size and, especially with Kapellmeister and wrote many
performances of oratorios on obbligato (essential, fully written) instrumental works, including
biblical themes instead. accompaniments, made a much the Brandenburg Concertos.
greater musical contribution. Solo In 1723, he took up his last
voices were also more common. post as cantor of St. Thomas
Bach wrote five Masses, but Church in Leipzig, where he
the B minor Mass (1749) stands remained until his death in
apart as one of the most important 1750 at the age of 65. During
works in the Western music canon. this period, he became the
Not “brook” [in German: It was written at the end of his life preeminent composer of High
Bach], but “sea” should he and unperformed before his death. Baroque music, with a skill
be called because of his Unusually for the Lutheran tradition, for counterpoint that has
infinite, inexhaustible richness it presents a complete setting of arguably never been equalled.
in tone combinations the Latin Ordinary in 25 separate
and harmonies. movements over some two hours. Other key works
Ludwig van Beethoven Although on the wane by this
period, the motet (sacred verses set 1723–1732 Six Motets,
BWV 225–231
to music) was still an important 1733 Magnificat, BWV 243
choral genre, particularly in France, 1749 Mass in B minor,
where two distinct styles had BWV 232
been established. The petits ❯❯

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