Baroque Music - Bach and Handel - Essay Example

Chapter 7 Summary Chapter 7 Summary The chapter 7 of the book focuses on the later periods of Baroque Music that started during the year of 1710 and ended during the period of 1750 (Wright, 2015). During this period new innovations were not made part of the music, rather the older ones were refined. The melody during this period used to be quite longer with asymmetrical expressions. The rhythm was quite strong in nature along with harmony that focused on repeated play of mainly significant and minor keys.

This period even led to the emergence of symphony orchestra which was quite close to the way experienced in the modern days. The orchestra constituted of over 25 participants (Wright, 2015). Furthermore, the orchestra even started using violins instead of viols. They even used several woodwinds including bassoon as well as the trumpet and the orchestra even added drumming to their events. One of the reputed figures of this time was Johann Sebastian Bach who held various positions in the world of music.

He initially served as a reputed organist, later he was recognized for composing courts and being the lead singer with the church. A musical even used to be designed in such a manner so that it contained a theme which is the main idea of the event along with the exposition of the main theme presented by different voices (Wright, 2015). This era even witnessed the completion of the concerto no. 5 which mainly contained the play of violin as well as the flute (Wright, 2015). The chapter even details the difference between an opera and a cantata on the basis of the purpose of these musical sessions along with the areas where they are played and the subjects they focus on.

This period even witnessed the introduction of a well-known Cantata titled as Awake, A Voice is Calling (Wright, 2015). Another major figure of this period was Frideric Gandel who is well known to play all over Europe as a composer and is still considered as the best composer that ever existed (Wright, 2015). The chapter even introduces the introduction of Water Music during the period of 1717 and this form of music was played to entertain the general public. The chapter even focuses on Oratorio which is a form of entertainment music played for sacred purposes in different theaters.

The period discussed in the chapter even witnessed the emergence of Messiah that was entitled to inform the public regarding the life of Christ. References Wright, C. (2015). The essential listening to music. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.