The Baroque Period (1600-1750)

Your Baroque Repertoire Choices

Bach's Manuscript
  1. J.S. Bach - Invention 8 in F Major
  2. J.S. Bach - Invention 14 in Bb Major
  3. C.P.E. Bach - Solfeggietto

Characteristics

Christofori piano from 1720Baroque is the name given to a style of art, architecture and music from the 17th century. The buildings of this period were very ornate and people liked to adorn themselves with fancy wigs and lots of ruffles and lace.Many new styles of music were developed during the Baroque period such as opera, oratorio, concerto and dance suites.

The main keyboard instruments during the Baroque period were the harpsichord (see right), organ, virginal, spinet and clavichord.The first piano was made in 1720 by an Italian named Bartolomeo Christofori (see left). Baroque harpsichord He was able to successfully create a hammer-action keyboard instrument that could play soft and loud.

One important feature of Baroque style is terraced dynamics, where music tends to flow along at a constant level without the expressive rises and falls characteristic of later periods. The contrast between loud and soft passages created the effect of light and shadow.

Ornamentation was also important in the Baroque Period. Ornaments were sometimes indicated by the composer, but more often were improvised by the performer who would add decorative flourishes to the melodic line.