Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Monteverdi developed two new styles: the legacy of the Renaissance polyphony and basso continuo. His compositions include L’Orfeo, Vespro della Beata Vergine, Arianna, and L’incoronazione di Poppea. L’Orfeo strikes with its complexity, various instruments, and the emphasized contrast. L’incoronazione di Poppea is the last opera by Monteverdi; its sound is memorable and original, and every detail emphasizes the qualities of the characters.
Giovanni Gabrieli
Giovanni brought sacred vocal and instrumental music to the Baroque era. He described his works in collections: Concerti, Sacrae Symphoniae, Canzoni per sonare, Canzoni e Sonate. Sonata octavi toni a 12 can be distinguished among the early works, which is characterized by melodiousness and calmness, having pastoral motifs. Among the later works is Exaudi me Domine, which is more dynamic and has a strong religious sound.
Henry Purcell
Purcell brought a mixture of English, Italian, and French styles to Baroque music. Some of the compositions include Dido and Aeneas, Hail! Bright Cecilia, Come Ye Sons of Art, Funeral Sentences, and Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary. Dido and Aeneas presents a distinctive musical sound for each scene. One of the later works, The Fairy-Queen, presents a free musical interpretation of Shakespeare.
George F. Handel
Handel introduced oratorios and choral dramas to baroque music. His works are the oratorio Messiah, The Cuckoo and the Nightingale, The Harmonious Blacksmith, and Organ concertos Op. 4. The Cuckoo and the Nightingale is an organ concerto, the most remarkable part of which is the adaptation of the motif of birdsong to accompaniment. The Harmonious Blacksmith is distinguished by its particular melody and complexity of performance.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Bach brought powerful and expressive violin and cello playing to baroque music. Bach is known for The Mass in B minor, Brandenburg Concertos, Cantata No.21, and Goldberg Variations. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 has an interesting sound, in which colors thicken and pathos intensifies due to the absence of violins. Goldberg Variations impress with changes of mood and speed to emphasize each of the themes of the composition.
Influence of Religion, Science, and Philosophy on Baroque Music
Music in the Baroque era developed under the influence of the Catholic Church, using exaggeration and chanting of religious mysteries with the help of feelings. The development of science allowed musicians to reach a wider educated audience, and music began to acquire a mass character (Lyons 279). Baroque philosophy encouraged expressiveness and passion, which contributed to developing new musical genres and complex techniques.
Work Cited
Lyons, John D., editor. The Oxford Handbook of the Baroque. Oxford University Press, 2019.