Baroque Era Research Paper

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• In the Baroque era was referred to as extravagant. The rhythm of the music in this era was more definite, regular, and insistent. A single rhythm or parallel rhythms could be picked up in a section of a piece. Unlike Renaissance music, Baroque music used imitative polyphony change in the changes of sections. The meter was systematically in evidence rather than softened as in the Renaissance era. The beats were emphasized by particular instruments and was played in a clear and precise way. The one unique feature used in the Baroque era was the basso continuo. Although some of the music was homophonic and some polyphonic, basso continuo was the main texture that made the Baroque unique. The bass in the Baroque era was not only performed by bass voices or low instruments but also played by an organ, harpsichord, and other chord instruments. The harmony also changed quickly with time. The harmony used during this time was called functional harmony, where all chords have a specific interrelation and function in relation to…show more content…
The components of opera were opera seria, recitative, aria, and castrato. Opera seria consisted more of a serious, passionate, and powerful emotions; also it was mainly solo singing by sopranos or mezzo sopranos. Recitative was used for plot action, dialogue, and other places in the drama so the words could be brought out. Aria was a piece for the solo singer that has musical elaboration and coherence than recitative. The difference between cantatas and oratorios is that even though the oratorios have religious subjects they are not actually a part of a church service. It was used as substitute for opera during lent. Cantatas were performed in the Lutheran church services. Bach incorporated the chorale into his cantatas by putting them in his Lutheran hymns. The last movement of his cantatas are usually a single hymn stanza sung straight

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