Instrumental Music

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A portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

• Approaching to the middle of the eighteenth century, for the first time in history, the leading composers in Europe came from German-speaking lands, including the Father of Music, Johann Sebastian Bach [嚙誹恬蕭] (1685-1750).

• Their music employed a newer and more gallant style. This newer instrumental music sounded more songful and less contrapuntal [嚙複踝蕭], more natural and less artificial [嚙瘡嚙踝蕭嚙踝蕭].

• Madrigals were composed chiefly for the enjoyment of the singers themselves and were typically performed in mixed groups of women and men at social gatherings, after meals, and at meetings of academies.

• Alongside with J.S. Bach, Vivaldi [嚙踝蕭嚙誼莎蕭] (1678-1741), Rameau (1683-1764), and Handel [嚙踝蕭嚙緩嚙踝蕭] (1685-1759) were among the leading composers in late Baroque Period.

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Food for Thought

• What do you think are the reasons contributing to secure Italy嚙踝蕭s position as the leading cultural center in Europe in the Baroque Period?

• Why opera was perceived [嚙瞋嚙緹嚙踝蕭] as a popular kind of music/art in the Baroque Period?

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Music Examples

Bach - Brandenburg Concertos No.5 - i: Allegro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49IOKnhX0Sk

J.S.Bach G minor fugue (the great) BWV 542/2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6clTa8_QYQE

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