Baroque

• Features of Baroque concertos:

  • diatonic harmonies
  • continuo (bass) section
  • harpsichord
  • cello
  • double bass
  • mainly stringed instruments
  • ornamentation
  • balanced phrases
  • small orchestras
• Instruments in sections:

  • strings
  • violin
  • viola
  • cello
  • double bass
  • woodwind
  • recorder
  • oboe
  • bassoon
  • brass
  • horns
  • percussion
  • timpani
  • keyboard
  • harpsichord
  • organ
• Composers:

  • Bach
  • Vivaldi
• Solo concerto:

  • has one solo instrument and an orchestra accompaniment
  • soloist is able to demonstrate their capabilities and skills (virtuosic)
  • consists of multiple movements, commonly 3
• Concerto grosso:

  • has concertino, ripieno and continuo sections
  • concertino - small group of soloists
  • ripieno - the orchestra accompaniment
  • continuo - the bass section
  • musical ideas are passed between the concertino and ripieno
• Ritornello structure - tutti sections followed by episodes where the soloist, usually performing with little orchestra accompaniment, is performing virtuosically
• Texture:

  • usually homophonic
  • usually has contrapuntal moments
  • more common in Concerto grosso
  • contrapuntal - where multiple melodies are being performed at once