Overview Of The Most Prominent Composers Of The Baroque Era

The Baroque era lasted roughly from 1600 to 1750. During this time, new composers and musical styles developed. This era shaped what music really was. There were many great composers such as J. S Bach, Vivaldi, and Schutz, Handel, and Monteverdi who contributed great works to society. They were all known individuals that made great contributions to the baroque era?

Furthermore, my question is, what were they known for? Also, what were their great accomplishments to society One of the first composers that’s greatly recognize, is Antonio Vivaldi. Vivaldi was known for being a violinist and a creative composer. Over 500 compositions were composed, and 350 were for solo instrument and strings, while 230 were for violin. His style and methods consist of Antiphony’s which he experimented with instrumental solos and maintain a light and angelic texture to his music. His concertos are involved with harmony contrasts and innovative melodies and themes. Sometimes he took older pieces of music and incorporated them in his writing. Some of his greatest compositions were The Four Seasons, Gloria, Concerto Alla Rustica, and Concerto No. 5 in E Flat minor. One of his notable pieces was his Four Seasons. Four Seasons were a major turning point in modern society. Four Seasons also had four concertos to it known as Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. With this he also had 3 movements to go along with.

The tempos ranged from fast to slow to fast again. More importantly it’s believed that he wrote 12 different sonnets to go with his pieces. Four Seasons were also known as the first example of Program Music because the natural aspects of the seasons and impression of events. Lastly, Four Seasons made a huge impact on society today. Four Seasons is one of the most used concertos in popular culture, such as Films, Concerts, and Television. Vivaldi’s Contribution to the world is still relevant in today’s times. The Second great composer was Johann Sebastian Bach. J. S Bach was known as a German composer and a musician in the baroque era. He wrote roughly about 1,128 works and 200 Cantas. Bach was also known to write 48 preludes. Bach complemented German music to his works because he had German influences. Bach was mostly known as one of the greatest organists of his time. The primary instruments that were involved in some of his pieces were the Harpsichord, Organ, Clavichord, and lute. His musical styles were made of counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organization. People describe Bach’s works as intellectual, strict, and beautiful. Some of his works are Suite No. 2 in B minor, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, and Richter, Concertos de Brandenburg 1-6. One of Bach’s notable pieces was his Toccata and Fugue in D minor. It has 3 sections, a Toccata, Fugue, then a coda. Toccata and Fugue in D minor. This piece is known for being one of his best Organ preludes out of all his works. This piece can be described as sporadic and unusual for organ.

The beginning is preceded by A dramatic opening which is later followed improvising. The way he plays the organ on this piece really stands out. Even an era later, this piece revolutionized the world, through film, musicals, and Tv Commercials. Bach’ music has not only changed the world but set a new wave for organists. The 3rd composer is Heinrich Schutz. Schutz was mostly known as the great German composer of vocal music. He’s known to write over 500 pieces of music until his death. Some of his works were revolved around sacred music. He was a genius at what he does. The musical styles in his piece’s ranges from solo voice, with instrument accompany to acapella. He was recognized as one of the last composers to write in modal tone. In his modal style, some of his works are known to have strong tonal harmony in certain parts, and he also utilizes imitation. Lastly, dissonance is highly used against his implied harmony. When it comes to his compositions, he is known to write at least 500 of them. Heinrich was a great contributor to our society. His poems and text in compositions had influenced singing for churches. Lastly, Heinrichs had impacted our society in the way we sing and text. Greats like him are the reason why we understand music today.

When comes to singing his works, you think of harmony, dissonance, and acapella. His music had a huge impact on the world. It is great that he can share his music with others. The 4th great composer was Georg Friedrich Handel. Georg Handel is known as a great German/British composer. He was known to write 42 operas, 29 oratorios, and more than 120 Cantas. He also wrote a handful of trios, duets, arias, chamber music, and 16 other organ concertos. His styles were based around Italian influences in his music. The textures in some of his music were homophonic. Some of his works he’s known for being is Water Music, The Coronation anthems, Music for Royal Fireworks and Messiah. For example, Water Music is regarded as one of his best works that the world knows today. known for its homophonic texture, and color tones. Water Music is used in films, tv shows, and other pop culture. His second work he’s also known for is his glorious Messiah work. Originally it was known as an Easter offering, but later it was used as a Christmas song. Messiah is known for being performed western society. During Christmas, this piece is performed by church choirs, and heard on radio stations. It’s considered that this piece is always played during Christmas. The musical structure involves choral parts mixed in with homophonic harmony, and polyphonic complexity. This happens while mainly in the Ontario.

The instrumentation of this work involves Strings, Woodwinds, small bassist, and percussion. Georg Friedrich Handel was a great composer. He helped shaped what music was today, and his music is still being played around the world. The 5th composer was Claudio Monteverdi. He was a baroque and Renaissance composer. Very articulate is what you can consider him. He is known as being the first composer of opera, while he also brought modern secular music to church. Claudio is also known to write about 40 operas. Sometimes he would have Polyphonic textures in his marginals. Also, he took great developments of form and melody in his works, while employing Basso Continuo textures. Also, he was known to be very dramatic in his opera works. Some of the text was emphasized with strong meaning. When it came to his works such as L’ Orfeo, he was very precise and articulate about his works. The instrumentation includes strings, and bass. Simplicity and perfection are what he wanted his musicians to bring out. When it came to string and flute players he wanted them to play in a proper manner. Often, he was very strict about his works. People consider him one of the originators of opera. He also wrote many marginals, masses, and sacred music. Some of his famous works include L’ Orfeo, L’Arianna, and Vespro Della Beata Vergine. For example, his work L Arianna was another one of his famous operas. This opera was written under time and pressure. It almost killed Claudio Monteverdi. He complained that it took him to long to write. At least it was greatly received. The opera was highly regarded. L’Arianna was praised by the composer’s direction in 1640. Monteverdi has change opera in an extraordinary way. He was one of the most prolific writers of opera. Joy, laughter, sorrow was brought from his operas / plays. He’s one of the few writers/ artists that stands out from the rest.

The reason why he stands out from the rest of the composers because he was passionate and articulate about his works. He always worked hard and made sure everything was perfect. This man changed the way of operas, and how we view them today. Without him opera wouldn’t be the same without Claudio Monteverdi. This is who he was, a great composer. As this essay comes to close, I want to say that these great composers change the world. All their key roles and styles were important in this era. This era wouldn’t be the same without them. Each of these composers brought something to the table, whether it was music, opera, or other works. The Baroque era was a time for all great pieces and composers. It expanded the change in style, size, range, and complicated instrument performance. Baroque music has impacted the world through many aspects. Again, I say this involves film, television, and theatre. , and maybe many more. Monteverdi, Handel, Schultz, Bach, and Vivaldi were all great contributors to the baroque era. Each of them is remembered by the pieces that they wrote and performed. Even though the Baroque era lasted from 1600 to 1750, it was still considered one of the great eras of music. It was highly received by individuals. Lastly, people still to this day are re-recording some of their great compositions. This is how they impacted the world.