Topmusicanswers
Baroque music is characterised by:
- long flowing melodic lines often using ornamentation (decorative notes such as trills and turns)
- contrast between loud and soft, solo and ensemble.
- a contrapuntal texture where two or more melodic lines are combined.
- What characterizes baroque music?
- What is the music function of Baroque?
- What are 2 facts about baroque music?
- How is Baroque music structured?
What characterizes baroque music?
There were three important features to Baroque music: a focus on upper and lower tones; a focus on layered melodies; an increase in orchestra size. Johann Sebastian Bach was better known in his day as an organist. George Frideric Handel wrote Messiah as a counterargument against the Catholic Church.
What is the music function of Baroque?
Baroque music expanded the size, range, and complexity of instrumental performance, and also established the mixed vocal/instrumental forms of opera, cantata and oratorio and the instrumental forms of the solo concerto and sonata as musical genres.
What are 2 facts about baroque music?
Baroque music was often a melody with a bass line at the bottom. This could be, for example, a singer and a cello. There was also a harpsichord or organ that played the bass line as well, and made up chords in between.
How is Baroque music structured?
Generally, the Baroque orchestra had five sections of instruments: woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, and harpsichord. The strings or harpsichord almost always carried the melody, with brass and woodwinds providing the harmonies.
