MODULE IN MUSIC IV

FOURTH QUARTER
What is this module all about?
In this module you will learn the music of the Baroque Period. The Baroque Period
was considered as a monarchial period. In Baroque music, there is unity of mood, continuity of
rhythm and predominantly polyphonic in texture.
What you are expected to learn from this module?
After completing this module, You shall:

Discuss and identify important events that happened during the Baroque Period
Differentiate the Baroque vocal styles namely the recitative, arioso and aria
Name the composer of the Monodic and Baroque vocal style

How do you learn from this?

This module is designed for easy comprehension. To be able to appreciate fully the contents
of this module you should do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Answer the pre-test to find out how much you know of the lesson to be discuss
Check your answers by using the key answer provided
Read the module thoroughly and carefully
Be sure to approach your teacher for any unclear instructions

Before working on this module, answer first the pre-test to determine what you already know
about the lesson.
Pre-Test
1. A compositional technique in which a theme is extended and developed mainly by
imitative counterpoint.
a. Fugue
b. art of fugue
c. organ fugue
2. His Unfinished at his Death composition is a compendium of contrapuntal technique.
a. Palestrina
b. Handel
c. Bach
3. It is sung in free and flexible rhythm with a basso continuo accompaniment.
a. Aria
b. arioso
c. recitative
4. This has only one basic mood that tends to dwell on a single emotional stall.
a. Aria
b. arioso
c. recitative
5. It is expanded from aria and has a three part form or ABA.
a. Aria
b. arioso
c. recitative
6. Most of these compositions were based on stories from Bible but usually not intended for
religious services.
a. Basso continuo
b. cantata
c. oratorio
7. The Italian term which means sung, vocal composition accompanied by an instrument.
a. Basso continuo
b. cantata
c. oratorio
8. This song was accompanied by bass instruments such as the viola da gamba and the early
keyboard which is the harpsichord or organ.
a. Basso continuo
b. cantata
c. oratorio
9. The scholars from Florence who rejected the polyphonic style of the late Renaissance.
a. Continuo
b. camarata
c. cantata
10. This came from the Portugese term Barroco, which means irregularly edged pearl.
a. Renaissance
b. classical
c. baroque
11. The most renowed musical figure of his day and is a national treasure.
a. Palestrina
b. Bach
c. Handel
12. The extended musical setting of a sacred and non-liturgical text.
a. Oratorio
b. suite
c. concerto grosso
13. Ordered set of instrumental pieces meant to be performed at a single sitting.
a. Oratorio
b. suite
c. concerto grosso

14. The most important form of orchestral music in the Baroque period.
a. Oratorio
b. suite
c. concerto grosso
15. It employs an orchestra consisting mainly of strings with a group of several solo
instruments.
a. Tutti
b. concertino
c.
hornpipe
Module No. 1
Music in the Baroque Period
Overview
In this module you will learn the music of the Baroque Period. The Baroque Period
was considered as a monarchial period. In Baroque music, there is unity of mood, continuity of
rhythm and predominantly polyphonic in texture.
Baroque Musical Styles and Forms
Majority of the youth today prefer to listen to electronic music that uses electronic
instruments like guitar and synthesizers. Since this is the age of electronic gadgets, electronic
organ is often used these days. But during the Baroque period the organ and the harpsichord are
only the most common instruments used in composing music, in contrast to the classical opera
that needs different musical instruments which normally plays dominant roles, like in the works
written by Mozart. A harpsichord resembles the grand piano. It is a stringed musical instrument
with a keyboard. A group of scholars and musicians in Florence known as Camarata rejected the
polyphonic style of the late Renaissance because they wanted to focus on the relationship
between words and music in vocal composition. This led to the development of monodic style
wherein a single voice part was predominant and supported by accompaniment played by
different instruments called basso continuo. The beginning of the Baroque period were marked
by the emergence of the solo song. This song was accompanied by bass instruments such as the
viola da gamba and the early keyboard instruments which is the harpsichord or organ. The
accompaniment which is called basso continuo or figured bass or thorough bass consists of a
written bass line with numerical below the notes.
It is a vocal music for soloist or choir whose instrumental is based on a narrative
poem of either secular or religious, lyrical od dramatic in nature. It contains various movements
such as recitatives, arias, duets and choruses. Example are Cantata 56 and 82. Johann Sebastian
Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany. He created the music that his patron desired like ensemble
music, including the famous Brandenburg concertos.His Art of Fugue is a compendium of
contrapuntal technique. Fugue is a composition or a compositional technique in which a theme is
extended and developed mainly by imitative counterpoint.
Baroque Vocal Style
Recitative- a singing speech wherein the rhythm is dictated by the natural pronunciation
of the word. It is sung in free and flexible rhythm with a basso continuo accompaniment.
Arioso- the general characteristic of recitative is declamatory while arioso is lyrical. The
tempo of arioso is steady. It has only one basic mood that tends to dwell on a single
emotional stall.
Aria- a three part form or ABA. First section A was followed by B section, which is
contrasting to the first one and ends with an A section through which the music will go
back to the beginning to repeat A section.

The most important form of orchestral music in the Baroque period is the concerto grosso. It
employs an orchestra consisting mainly of strings with a group of several solo instruments called
the concertino. Suite is an ordered set of instrumental pieces meant to be performed at a single
sitting. A musical term which refers to a group of works held together by story, mood or idea in

the late 19th century. An extended musical setting of a sacred, usually non-liturgical text. Oratorio
originated from the informal meetings or spiritual exercises of a group founded by St. Filippo
Neri in 1550. A cantata is based on either secular or sacred text while an oratorio is based on
Biblical subjects only. The Messiah is the well known oratorio of Handel where the Hallelujah
Chorus was taken. It is usually sang during easter celebration. George Frideric Handel is an
English composer but German by birth. He was the most renowed musical figure of his day and a
national treasure.