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A Pearl of Great Value

The Baroque Era (1600-1750) earned its name from the Portuguese term barroco, which describes a misshapen or irregular pearl - in other words, a treasure of unquestionable value that is perfectly imperfect. The people of this time found unmatched beauty in the humanity of art and music. Instruments from the Baroque Era, made from natural materials such as woods and animals, are described as sounding "earthy" and "raw" and they possess the ability to convey elements from the human experience that were polished away in later musical eras. 

Image by Daniel Gregoire
Basics of Baroque

When was the Baroque Period?

Scholars have deemed the Baroque Period or Baroque Era to encompass the years 1600 through 1750 - This is because the first opera was performed in 1600 and J.S. Bach died in 1750. Of course, this is a label that was created by scholars after the fact. To the people of the Baroque Era, there was only the "modern day" that they were existing in. 

Who were some Baroque Composers?

Some of the most beloved Baroque composers are J.S. Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. Other commonly performed but perhaps lesser known composers from this time include Porpora, Couperin, Hotteterre, Boismortier, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Corelli, Scarlatti and Son, Pergolesi, Lully, Charpentier, Rameau, Schütz, Telemann, and Purcell. 

What are some characteristics of the Baroque?

The famous baroque flutist Barthold Kuijken wrote a book titled, "The Notation is Not the Music" and this sums up the Baroque perfectly; much of how the piece should go is not included in the score. Ink and paper were an expensive commodity in those days and were not to be wasted with redundancy. Instead, it was assumed that the performers would simply know how the music should go based on the performance practice of the day. Think of baroque scores like a type of lead sheet - the basic information is there, but that's it! The rest is up to you. 

As you can see from baroque architecture and art above, the era is marked by filigree and ornament. The same is true for music of this time. There was a great emphasis on improvisation - sprezzatura (effortless grace), as they called it - and music is embellished with many notes, chords, and articulations that are not literally notated on the score. We know through treatises and other written works that these embellishments were the expected norm if a musician was considered to have "good taste." In fact, the chordal continuo instruments (harpsichord, lute, or anything else that can play chords) almost entirely improvise their parts! With so much to be improvised in the moment, no two performances are the same. 

Because of this, it takes special training and study to be able to play baroque music in a historically accurate way, training that stretches far beyond learning the instrument itself. All Lyra musicians have undergone years of study in baroque performance practice which enables them to deliver the most authentic performances of this music possible. 

The Big Four

Baroque music has distinct roots in folk music and even world music - take the music from Naples for example, which is a melting pot of Spanish flair, Greek quotes and Arabic insinuations. Despite its many influences, scholars consider the Baroque Era to generally refer to European Western music. Historians simplify Baroque music into four major "styles." They are: 

  • French - Very dignified, especially known for the overture, ballet, and certain court dances

  • Italian - Intensely human, known for opera, elaborate embellishments, and virtuosity

  • English - Theatrical, story-driven, and diverse, known most for theater and opera

  • German - Bold, sustained, and dramatic, known best for sacred music 

The Instruments

Baroque instruments are radically different from the classical instruments of today. Everything, from their materials to their construction, their shapes to their size, creates an entirely new sound world completely unlike the modern orchestra. 

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