Music of the Baroque

An ideal instructional package for courses in music history and literature, Music of the Baroque and its accompanying anthology of scores offer a lively and detailed introduction to European music from 1600 through 1750. In contrast to other texts in this area, Music of the Baroque provides a more integrated presentation of Baroque music and its performance practices and place in society. Engaging and accessible, this unique text features an in-depth examination of over forty selected musical compositions. It discusses selected works from the principal traditions of the period, emphasizing their distinctive features and placing them within their larger historical contexts. Close analysis of individual works is enriched by material on the social and cultural context of the music, the biographies of representative musicians, and developments in musical style and performance practice.
Music of the Baroque considers representative examples of both instrumental and vocal works, sacred as well as secular. Offering models for musical criticism and analysis in a variety of compositional styles, the book also provides substantial discussions of original instrumentation and historical performance practices for many works. Schulenberg analyzes familiar works like Monteverdi's Orfeo and a Bach cantata and also discusses lesser-known compositions, including works by Barbara Strozzi and Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre. The opening chapter on late Renaissance and the closing chapter on galant music provide bridges to earlier and later periods of European music history.
Features
* Focuses on many individual works whose scores are included in the accompanying anthology
* Analyzes compositions in depth while also placing them within their historical and cultural contexts
* Pays special attention to historical performance practice
* Recognizes the role of women both as composers and as performers
* Balances current perspectives on Baroque music with more traditional views
* Incorporates numerous pedagogical aids including:
* synopses of operatic works
* biographical timelines for major composers
* numerous illustrations, musical examples, and analytical tables
* highlighting and explanations of technical terms upon first appearance
* carefully formulated definitions of each new concept
Designed for undergraduate and graduate students, Music of the Baroque is also essential reading for anyone who desires an up-to-date introduction to the serious study of Baroque music.