Handel and the Musical Forms of Baroque Period

Handel and the Musical Forms of Baroque PeriodMAPEH - IVGeorge Frideric Handel1685 - 1759

An English composer, German at birthPrimarily remembered for his operas and oratoriosHe was a complete contrast to his contemporary and fellow countryman, Bach. Bach composed for the church and for his patrons, Handel composed for the general public. Bach was primarily a man of God, Handel was the man of the world. Bach was a man who never left his country, Handel was a world travelerIt was at the end of a performance of the Messiah which he conducted and performed that he collapsed, dying three days later at the age of 74George Frideric HandelMusical Forms of Baroque PeriodConcerto Grosso, Suite, & OratorioConcerto Grosso is Italian for big concertoMost important form of orchestral music in the Baroque period.Concerto Grosso is a piece of music in which there are small group of soloists (concertino) and a large group of instruments (ripieno). These two groups are contrasted with one another. Sometimes both play together (tutti), sometimes one plays by itself, or the two groups might imitate one another.Consists of three movements fast, slow, fast

Concerto GrossoAn ordered set of instrumental pieces meant to be performed at a single sitting.The Baroque suite consist of an overture and four dance music among the following:AllemandeCouranteSarabandeGigueGavotteBourreeMinuetPassepiedRigaudonSuiteA large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists.Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is musical theatre, while oratorio is strictly a concert piece. In an oratorio there is generally little or no interaction between the characters, an no props or elaborate costumes.Oratorio often deals with sacred topics (sacred opera)Oratorio