Composer from Baroque to the Classical period - Essay Example

The Most Influential Composer Baroque to ical Period Introduction The Baroque period (1600-1750) of music is a period that encouraged self-expression, formation of counterpoints, certain degrees of ornamentation and open forms. The period is known for its inconsistency; although the music in this era shares the same genre, the various pieces can sound very different. Many musicians and composers came up with unique styles, forms and textures of music in this period. Comparing Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) and Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), it is hard to choose which one of the two best represents the Baroque period.

However, research shows that Bach’s keyboard virtuoso and brilliant composition culminated Baroque music, making him the most influential composer from the Baroque era to the Classical period. Discussion Bach was a violin and harpsichord virtuoso. His main style was of polyphonic texture whereby, the chords progressions directed the music’s motion, which made him a master of the fugue. Bach’s music was very baroque, a term adapted as a connotation for extravagant, excess, and emotionally expressive music.

Therefore, his music was full of emotion and featured a basso continuo (continuous bass). Bach composed a total 1128 works for voice, orchestra, organ, keyboard, chamber, and canon. Bach also composed works that were either fragmented, spurious doubtful, or lost. Sebastian Bach composed for the organ, the harpsichord, the clavichord, and the violin. He lived in Germany. Bach’s cooperation with royalty was fuelled by his devotion to write Christian music, as evidenced by his compositions in his time at the Lutheran church.

There were no direct political motives to write what he did. Conclusion Bach’s influence on the Classical era is not profound. Although the classical musicians adopted a new style of writing music, Mozart took interest in Sebastian Bach’s polyphonic tones in his Jupiter composition. Bach’s death in 1950 marked the end of the Baroque era and the beginning of the Classical period. Making him the most influential composer from the Baroque era to the Classical era. Works Cited Geck, Martin, and John Hargraves.

Johann Sebastian Bach: Life and Work. Orlando: Harcourt, 2006. Print.