4.3 Major keyboard composers and their works

The Baroque era saw keyboard music flourish with composers like Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, and Couperin. These masters pushed the boundaries of technique and expression, creating works that still captivate audiences today.

Each composer brought unique stylistic traits to their keyboard works. From Bach's complex counterpoint to Scarlatti's virtuosic sonatas, they explored the full potential of instruments like the harpsichord and organ, shaping the future of keyboard music.

Major Baroque Keyboard Composers

Major Baroque keyboard composers

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• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
  • German composer and organist widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in history
  • Composed extensively for keyboard instruments (harpsichord, clavichord, organ)
• George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
  • German-born British composer renowned for his operas, oratorios (Messiah), and instrumental works
  • Composed suites, fugues, and variations for harpsichord
• Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
  • Italian composer and harpsichordist who spent much of his career in Spain
  • Composed over 500 single-movement keyboard sonatas exploring virtuosity and technical brilliance
• François Couperin (1668-1733)
  • French composer, organist, and harpsichordist nicknamed "Couperin le Grand" for his significant contributions
  • Composed collections of keyboard works (Pièces de clavecin) reflecting French elegance and refinement

Stylistic traits in keyboard works

• J.S. Bach
  • Contrapuntal complexity with multiple independent melodic lines woven together
  • Technical virtuosity demanding advanced fingering and hand coordination
  • Integration of various national styles (French, Italian, German) and genres (dance suites, fugues, preludes)
  • Exploration of the full potential of keyboard instruments in range, dynamics, and expression
• G.F. Handel
  • Incorporation of Italian operatic style with expressive melodies and dramatic flair
  • Grand, expressive, and melodic writing suitable for public performances
  • Use of ornamentation (trills, mordents) and figurations (arpeggios, scales) to embellish melodies
• D. Scarlatti
  • Emphasis on technical brilliance and virtuosity with fast runs, leaps, and hand crossings
  • Exploration of the harpsichord's unique capabilities (rapid repetition of notes, percussive sound)
  • Single-movement sonatas in binary form (two complementary sections) with contrasting themes and moods
• F. Couperin
  • Refined and elegant style reflecting French taste and courtly manners
  • Descriptive titles (La Majestueuse, Les Barricades Mystérieuses) and programmatic elements evoking images or scenes
  • Extensive use of ornaments (trills, mordents, turns) as an integral part of the melodic line

National influences on Baroque compositions

• French style
  • Emphasis on elegance, refinement, and ornamentation as exemplified by F. Couperin
  • Descriptive titles and programmatic elements depicting scenes, characters, or emotions
  • Influence on composers like J.S. Bach who absorbed French style in his suites and partitas
• Italian style
  • Focus on expressive melody, vocal-like lines, and virtuosic passage work
  • Influence of Italian opera and vocal music on keyboard writing
  • Adopted by composers such as G.F. Handel (Italian operas and cantatas) and D. Scarlatti (sonatas)
• German style
  • Contrapuntal complexity with dense textures and intricate interweaving of voices
  • Harmonic richness and exploration of chromatic harmony
  • Integration of various national styles and genres into a cohesive whole, as demonstrated by J.S. Bach

Significance of landmark keyboard pieces

• The Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach
  • Two volumes (1722, 1742), each containing 24 preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys
  • Demonstrates the possibilities and advantages of equal temperament tuning for keyboard instruments
  • Showcases Bach's mastery of counterpoint, diverse styles, and keyboard writing
  • Serves as both pedagogical material and concert repertoire for keyboardists
• Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach
  • Set of 30 variations on a single aria theme, published in 1741
  • Displays Bach's inventiveness and skill in exploring the potential of variation form
  • Incorporates diverse musical styles (canon, fugue, dance forms) and techniques (hand crossing, two manuals)
  • Considered one of the most important and challenging works in the keyboard repertoire
  • Inspired future composers in the art of variation writing (Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, Brahms' Handel Variations)