A new divide in art and religion occurred during the 17th century. The Reformation occurred and caused a major divide between Protestants and Catholics. In northern Europe, Protestantism took root, especially in the city of Amsterdam. In southern Europe, Catholicism stood fast, especially in Rome. In this paper I will argue that Amsterdam and Rome developed unique political and religious environments that created two different painting styles within the Baroque period.
Both J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel use different aspects of music to compose important pieces of music. The baroque period is often known as the time when artists exaggerated their motion and produced drama through interpreted detail. Both of these composers used this baroque style to convey messages through their music. The similarity in their music was that it is in a spiritual manner. J.S. Bach’s style was a harmonic and motivation manner, which Handel’s is more of a narrative.
The classical period of music is considered to have been between 1750-1820. The best known composers from this era include; Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert. During the eighteenth century, Europe was beginning to have new styles in architecture, literature and arts, and music known as classicism. The new style of music was thought to have been more cleaner than before because it was simpler rather than complex. Some changes were also made to the orchestra.
In what ways have artists also turned away from the Classical
When someone thinks of a king in that ruled long ago, they usually think of the pictures they saw of kings that were being painted in the Baroque style. This is because the Baroque style was created to make royalty look like it. Much like King Louis XIV of France, the Baroque style was dramatic, (almost needlessly) ornamented, and expressed very much emotion. Every art style- painting, architecture, and music- was embellished, so it seemed larger than life- mighty. This is what King Louis XIV of France intended.
Some characteristics of Baroque music focused on the unity of mood, rhythm, dynamics and melodies. As for texture it consisted of being polyphonic with an emphasis on the highest and lowest melodies. Also the importance of bass and soprano and imitation were present. Word painting and symbolism kept making an appearance too. Chords and basso continuo were key elements to this period.
Although the two eras overlap, the Baroque era and the Enlightenment differ drastically from one another. Generally pictured and thought of as an artistic movement, the Baroque era eventually led to the Enlightenment, a more philosophical-based movement. In the Baroque era, people gained fame for their artistic talents. During the Enlightenment, people gained fame due to their scientific ideas and work.
“He oversaw the transition of music from the Classical style, full of poise and balance, to the Romantic style, characterised by emotion and impact.” (Wight, 2014) The classical period was from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century in which music had “clarity, simplicity and balance.” (Fletcher, 2008) “Classical phrases are short and simple. Classicism also manifests in the chord progressions, instrumentation, and overall form of Classical works.
The Baroque period brought with itself key devices such as variation in musical compositions, the enlargement of standard scales and chords and the process of varying one or more properties within a piece; that are used today. In contrast the renaissance period of music whereby music was often sang, contained simple rhythms and melodic lines and was mostly for the purpose of praise, the Baroque period of music started off the use of distinct melodies and harmonies opposed to the polyphony used in the Renaissance period. This new music was then called “…expansive and dramatic”. Famous composers and performers of this period include Henry Purcell, Arcangelo Corelli, Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Vivaldi and many others. Music of the baroque period had a number of traits in style as well as spirit; examples include the use of the basso
Art is known to have impacted humankind as from time memorial. In many occasions when people wanted to pass the information, they were only using paintings to communicate. Many kingdoms were known to give information about their values and beliefs through paintings made on their walls. Most of the paintings use to speak a lot about the religion of the Kingdom, and sometimes romantic pictures were used to expound more on how such kingdoms were committed to taking care of individuals emotions. Baroque paintings were used especially for matters to do with religion.
Throughout the mid 18th century into the early 19th century, social and political trends of the time expressed themselves in art. Neoclassicism developed alongside the new ideology of the Enlightenment, displaying political and social trends in Europe and the New World. In contrast to the established late Baroque Rococo style, Neoclassical artists simplified art, harkening back to the days of ancient Rome and Greece (Janson and Davies 790). Seeking a harmonious and simple alternative to the excessively ornate and lavish style born in the Baroque period, Enlightened artists found the rational and geometric harmony of classical art and architecture to be an ideal model. Not only were the characteristics of the style appealing to Enlightenment thinkers, but the republics and democracies of ancient Rome and Greece represented the contemporary desire for liberty and morality which brought about the French and American Revolution (Gardner and Kleiner 766).
The Baroque period on the other hand, spanning 150 years from the beginning of the 1600s to 1750, was divided into three parts: The Early Baroque period, The Middle Baroque period and The Late Baroque period. While these two eras start right after each other, there are a lot of differences between them, this shows how much music can evolve through time. There are many similarities and differences in characteristics between the two periods. They’re both very similar in texture, in that they’re both polyphonic. Although sometimes homophonic textures are also used in both eras.
Baroque music is a style of western art music. It was followed after the Renaissance music and was followed in turn by classical music. It emerged in the seventeenth century as a shorthand notation for keyboardists who were accompanying a soloist or small ensemble performing a work originally composed for a larger group. Key composers of the Baroque music are Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell, Arcangelo Corelli, Alessandro Scarlatti, Jean Philippe Rameau, Johann Pachelbel, George Frideric Handle, Claudio Monteverdi Domenico Scarlatti and many others.
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The Baroque was the period of artistic style and exaggerated motion. This Era was all about exuberance, drama and grandeur in all forms of art. The style began around 1600 in Rome, Italy and spread to most of Europe (Fargis1998, p.262).
Baroque Periods Impact in Today 's Modern Arts Baroque music is a period of history that was widespread between 1600-1750 (newworldencyclopedia.org). Baroque changed music to make it more of an entertainment for people which helped generate its popularity amongst all types of people. The music was so widespread and diverse it is hard to label different musicians and songs under “baroque” but that what it is. The original meaning of baroque is actually “irregular pearl” which would help to understand that the music does not fit with say secular music it is to diverse and has become so widely used and accepted it just stuck (newworldencyclopedia.org). The Baroque period did not just affect the art of music, but the arts in general.
