🎼Music History – 1600 to 1750 Unit 12 – Late Baroque: Galant Style & Pre-Classicism

Key Characteristics of Late Baroque

• Increased emphasis on melody and simplicity compared to earlier Baroque period
• Shift towards homophonic texture with clear melody and accompaniment
• Gradual transition from complex polyphony to simpler, more accessible musical forms
• Rise of the galant style characterized by light, elegant, and ornamented melodies
• Emergence of pre-classical elements foreshadowing the Classical era
• Continued use of basso continuo but with less prominence than in early Baroque
• Expansion of instrumental music genres (keyboard sonatas, concertos, symphonies)

Historical Context and Timeline

• Late Baroque period spans approximately from 1720 to 1750
• Coincides with the Age of Enlightenment and its emphasis on reason and clarity
• Influenced by the rise of the middle class and changing musical tastes
• Marked by the deaths of major Baroque composers (J.S. Bach in 1750, Handel in 1759)
• Transition period between Baroque and Classical eras showcasing elements of both
• Increased cultural exchange and dissemination of musical styles across Europe
• Growing popularity of public concerts and music publishing

Major Composers and Works

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) - Brandenburg Concertos, Goldberg Variations, The Well-Tempered Clavier
• George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) - Messiah, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks
• Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) - 555 keyboard sonatas showcasing virtuosity and innovation
• Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) - Tafelmusik, Paris Quartets, numerous orchestral suites
• Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) - Pièces de clavecin, Castor et Pollux (opera)
  • Treatise on Harmony influential in establishing modern music theory
• Sylvius Leopold Weiss (1687-1750) - Prominent German lutenist and composer

Evolution of Musical Forms

• Development of the keyboard sonata as a solo instrumental genre
  • Domenico Scarlatti's single-movement sonatas influential in shaping the form
• Emergence of the symphony as an extended multi-movement orchestral work
  • Early symphonies often derived from opera overtures (sinfonia)
• Concerto genre evolves with the concerto grosso and solo concerto
  • Vivaldi's L'estro armonico (1711) sets the standard for the three-movement solo concerto
• Opera seria dominates the operatic scene with its focus on virtuosic singing and drama
• Continued development of dance suites and character pieces for keyboard

Galant Style: Features and Innovations

• Emphasis on simplicity, elegance, and accessibility in contrast to Baroque complexity
• Melodic lines characterized by short, periodic phrases and ornamentation
• Accompaniment features alberti bass and other figurations to support the melody
• Harmonic language becomes simpler and more predictable with clear cadences
• Rejection of intricate counterpoint in favor of homophonic texture
• Composers prioritize pleasing the audience over displaying technical skill
• Galant style bridges the gap between Baroque and Classical periods

Pre-Classical Elements Emerging

• Gradual shift towards the Classical style in the late Baroque period
• Increased use of symmetrical phrasing and balanced musical structures
• Harmonic progressions become more standardized with the use of alberti bass
• Melodic lines begin to feature more conjunct motion and less ornamentation
• Emergence of sonata form as a key structural principle in instrumental music
  • Early sonatas by Scarlatti and C.P.E. Bach pave the way for Classical sonata form
• Orchestra expands in size and range with the inclusion of more wind instruments

Performance Practices and Instruments

• Continued use of period instruments such as harpsichord, viola da gamba, and baroque violin
• Ornamentation remains an essential aspect of performance but becomes more standardized
• Improvisation still plays a role in performance, particularly in cadenzas and embellishments
• Rise of the fortepiano as a precursor to the modern piano
  • Allows for greater dynamic range and expressive possibilities
• Basso continuo practice gradually declines in favor of fully written-out accompaniments
• Virtuosic instrumental technique develops, especially in keyboard and violin playing

Cultural Impact and Legacy

• Late Baroque music reflects the ideals of the Enlightenment with its emphasis on clarity and simplicity
• Dissemination of music through publishing and public concerts increases accessibility
• Composers' reputations extend beyond their local regions, leading to international recognition
• Galant style influences the early Classical composers (Haydn, Mozart) and their musical language
• Late Baroque works continue to be performed and studied as part of the standard repertoire
• Instrumental music gains equal footing with vocal music, setting the stage for the Classical era
• Baroque aesthetic and compositional techniques inspire later composers and musical styles (Neo-Baroque)