Page 69 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

BAROQUE 1600–1750 67

See also: Plainchant 22–23 ■ Magnus liber organi 28–31 ■ Messe de Notre
Dame 36–37 ■ Missa Pange lingua 43 ■ Canticum Canticorum 46–51

new style called concertato style,
contrasting multiple choirs and
instrumentalists, developed in
Venice and spread to Germany.
In England, this new trend was
The end of all good music reflected in the verse-anthem,
is to affect the soul. in which “verses” for solo voices
Claudio Monteverdi alternated with choral passages.

A virtuosic vespers
Monteverdi’s Vespers was one of Claudio Monteverdi
the first pieces of sacred music
to exploit the rich possibilities of Born in Cremona in 1567,
seconda pratica, but the composer Monteverdi began composing
The new style was taken up in did not forget the advantages of music while still a teenager,
most forms of music. The greater prima pratica and set the texts that producing a collection of
use of figured bass (numerals and are strictly liturgical in traditional three-part motets and a
symbols, indicating the harmonies plainsong. The usual musical book of madrigals. These
to be played by the continuo player) sequence for the vespers service achievements enabled him
lent themselves to opera and consisted of eight movements, to leave Cremona to become
oratorio. In vocal music, the melody starting with an opening “versicle” a string player at the court
projected the thoughts, emotions, that began with the words “Deus of Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga
actions, and reactions of a in adjutorium meum intende” (“God in Mantua, where he was
character in an opera, or even make speed to save us”). The influenced by the court’s
maestro di cappella (music
in an accompanied song. original 1610 edition of Vespers director), Giaches de Wert,
The new emphasis on character contains 13 movements, and and started writing operas.
led to the development of the includes a version of the Magnificat In 1607, his first opera, L’Orfeo
accompanied sonata (including the for six voices and organ. In addition was performed in Mantua,
trio sonata, comprising two violins to music for vespers itself, the followed by L’Arianna in 1608.
and a cello), the solo recitative and volume includes an a cappella (“in After Gonzaga’s death
aria, and the concerto—indeed, the chapel,” or unaccompanied) in 1612, Monteverdi went to
any musical form showcasing one Mass setting—Missa in Illo Rome, where he presented
particular performer among a Tempore—based upon a motet of his Vespers to the Pope. The
group. This stylistic development the same name by the Renaissance following year he became
emphasized contrast, allowing composer Nicolas Gombert. (Mass maestro di cappella at St.
for wider emotional expression in and vespers were the two services Mark’s, Venice. His final opera
vocal music and for more rhythmic of the Roman Catholic liturgy most L’incoronazione di Poppea was
variation in expressing and elaborately set in late 16th- and performed in 1642, the year
before he died.
projecting the text. It stimulated early 17th-century Italy.)
experimentation among composers, Within the 13 movements
who explored increasing of Vespers, Monteverdi sets five Other key works
instrumental virtuosity. psalms that honor the Virgin Mary,
together with Ave Maris Stella 1605 Fifth Book of Madrigals
Sacred music (Hail Star of the Sea), an eighth- 1607 L’Orfeo
1640–1641 Selva morale e
While the old polyphonic style century hymn to Mary that spirituale
continued to be widely used in precedes the Magnificat in the 1642 L’incoronazione di
European church music during the official set of daily prayers, and Poppea
first half of the 17th century, a the Magnificat itself. Monteverdi ❯❯

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