Baroque and Classic Periods - Research Paper Example

? 6 Most Important Pieces of Music from the Baroque and ic Periods This paper is targeted at Baroque and Classic periods of music. The paper lists 6 pieces of music from Baroque and Classical era that will be included in a time capsule. The reason behind selecting the specific piece of music will also be explained. Baroque and classical music are two styles of western classical music. Baroque era was followed by classical era. Baroque era extended from 1600 to 1760 while classical era extended from 1750 to 1830. Baroque era saw the transition of music from the traditional to the classical. It was marked with composer expanding the range and size of the instrumental performance. The most prominent composers of the era include Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, etc. New instrumental playing techniques were developed in this era. Classical era stressed more on the form and symmetry in the arts. The elaborate ornamentation from baroque era gave way to elegance and simplicity in the classical era. The prominent composers of the classical era were Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Salieri, Christoph Willibald Gluck, etc. Following are the six pieces from the two eras that make my list that will be included in the time capsule: Air on a G String Air on a G String is work of Johann Sebastian Bach, not just the greatest composer of his era but one of the greatest composers of all time. This is originally a part of orchestral suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068. A simple composition is a master piece for the fact that it is played only on the G string. The name “Air on a G string” was derived later in the 19th century when arrangements were made August Wilhelmj to play the original with a piano and violin, and the same name stuck to the original. The expression of ideas and feelings is extraordinary. Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/bach-for-the-brain-classical-music-to-make-you-smarter/track/air-on-a-g-string. Messiah by Handel Messiah composed by George Fredric Handel is an oratorio. This is one of the best-known works of Handel and one of the most performed Western Music coral works. Handel with numerous compositions defined the Baroque era along with Bach. The beauty of the piece is that it was composed for modest instruments and vocals. There was a deliberate change in direction with this composition as it did not resemble the conventional opera structure. This is a master piece as it broke away from the conventional style and started a new way. It did not have any direct speech or takes any dramatic form. The main purpose of was to acclaim the “mystery of Godliness”. Also this makes the list for the time capsule because of its subject: Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/george-frideric-handel/album/handel-messiah. “Spring” from the Concerto series ‘The Four Seasons’ Composed by Antonio Vivaldi, considered to be one of the greatest Baroque composers, “Spring” is a part of a set of 4 violin concertos. This is considered to be one of the best works of Vivaldi and is a popular piece from the era. It is cast in 3 movements like others in the set. Vivaldi has beautifully depicted scenes and events through this master piece. The music is imaginative and brings the event to life by adding vividry through short sonnets. Prior to Vivaldi, violin was not considered as a solo instrument but it was this work that brought violin from the background to the center. The pictorial depiction of spring season is an example of Vivaldi’s genius. In the first movement, the coming of the spring season is glorified while in the second movement we hear continuous barking of the shepherd’s dog. Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/classical-moods---100-top-classical-favorites-of-all-time-big-eye-music/track/spring-from-the-four-seasons---violin-concerto-in-e-major. Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major - K. 299 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the most influential musicians of the classical era and he produced fabulous compositions. He along with Ludwig van Beethoven has defined music of the classical era. Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major - K. 299 is one of Mozart’s best works and was composed for the harp, flute and orchestra. This is the only piece of Mozart that contains a harp. This composition has a fresh sound to itself that is never heard of before. The piece combines the harp and flute beautifully to produce a masterpiece. The third movement gives an entirely new sound make it worthy of this list. The use of harp is very different, as it sounds more like a piano rather than a harp. Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/search?query=Concerto+for+Flute+and+Harp+in+C+Major+-+K.+299. Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven is considered to be the bridge between the classical period and the romantic period. His last symphony “Symphony 9” is one of its best works. This makes to the list because it was successful in breaking the conventional mold of the compositions of the classical era. This work was the transition of classical era to romantic era. The abandon of emotion in this composition was an example of future compositions of the romantic era. This is truly a masterpiece and one of the greatest works ever. This symphony was one of the first to use voice making it a choral symphony. The structure and rules of compositions were challenged of the past compositions was challenged thus starting a new style. Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/beethoven-no_longer_active_active-no_longer_active_active/album/beethoven-symphony-no9. Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV. 550 Symphony No. 40 is another masterpiece of Mozart and was composed in 1788. The original composition was scored in bassoons, timpani, trumpets, clarinets, flute, oboes, horns, and strings. The piece makes it to the list because of the various emotions that it portrays. The composition successfully depicts emotions of violence, grief and passion. Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/los-angeles-chamber-orchestra-gerard-schwarz-the-mozart-adin/album/mozart-classical-symphony-no-40-symphony-no-41-musically-spe. Bibliography 1. http://www.baroquemusic.org/ 2. http://baroque-music.com/ 3. http://www.naxos.com/education/brief_history.asp 4. http://www.humanitiesweb.org/human.php?s=c&p=i&a=l&ID=5 Read More