The Baroque period
The 1600 - 1750. was approximately between 1600 and 1750. Most composers were servants who provided music for wealthy families for church ceremonies, parties and special occasions. During this time, composers wrote a lot of music and were paid very little.
Below is a timeline showing the approximate dates for the Baroque period and when Purcell was alive during this time.
Baroque music has some very distinct characteristics. It often features lots of Notes added to decorate a melody., contrasting sections with Two or more melodies or parts that play at the same time, weaving in and out of each other. or Interweaving melodic parts, also known as polyphonic. texture and use of the harpsichord continuo.
Features of the Baroque period in Music for a While
Baroque music has some very distinct characteristics. It often featured:
- use of basso The bass part in Baroque music - typically played by a cello, and used by chordal instruments such as the harpsichord.
- Baroque instruments, such as the harpsichord and the bass viol
- frequent ornamentation
- limited Refers to the softness or loudness of a piece of music. or Symbols added to a score to indicate the composer鈥檚 musical intentions. written in the score
Basso continuo
A basso The bass part in Baroque music - typically played by a cello, and used by chordal instruments such as the harpsichord. is a part given to an instrument that plays a bass line and chords to accompany a melody. The performer will sometimes improvise and decorate what they play. In the Baroque period the instruments would have been the harpsichord, bass viol, organ or lute.
Baroque instruments
The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument where the strings are plucked rather than hammered, like on a piano.
This makes the harpsichord sound tinnier than the piano. The harpsichord has no sustain pedal and playing Refers to the softness or loudness of a piece of music. is not possible.
The bass viol is a large string instrument similar to a modern-day cello.
A countertenor is a male voice pitched equivalent to a female soprano. Purcell often wrote for this vocal-pitch because it was popular in the Baroque period. Although Music for a While was originally written for a countertenor voice, the piece is now performed by a The highest adult singing voice