MUSI 2730 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Figured Bass, Florentine Camerata, Ostinato
Document Summary
Baroque music- divide of classes, operas are limited to upper class, extravagant, elaborate, complex, instrumental becomes as popular as vocal, more women allowed, use sacred and secular pieces interchangeably. Characteristics- use of majors and minors, opera, dissonance to create contrast in mood. Court directors become a new job for composers- paid by patrons. 4 movements (each movement"s mood contrasts its predecessors, 1 mood per movement) Role of the composer- get to hear their pieces performed because they are being sponsored by aristocracy, considered servants, compose for specific/immediate use of patron. Florentine camerata- musical-dramatic art of ancient greece. Basso continuo-two people, one plays bass line (cello), one plays bass harmony (harp) Figure bass- sheet music that basso continuo read, bass line is easier to play than bass harmony. Equal temperament- new tuning system that allowed instruments to play in any key, improvement in instruments. Rise of virtuoso musician- possible because of instrumental improvement,
