Generally considered to be from 1600-1750, the music of the Baroque period is dominated by the complexity and tremendous output of Johann Sebastian Bach. His music so dominated the period, it is historically considered at an end with his passing. His florid counterpoint (two or more different melodic lines played or sung at the same time) is representative of a style dominated by contrapuntal lines in fugues, canons and, generally, a music marked by ornate, embellished melodies and rhythmic vitality, even in the slower movements. The harmony, mostly within a strict framework of chord progression, would form the structure from which later periods would develop or deviate. Many dance forms were employed in this period (as in all others) but oft-times the form is dominated by the working out of the contrapuntal lines.

J. S. Bach was an extremely prolific composer and the roots of many musical styles to follow, including jazz, can be found in his work. His rhythmic style is very engaging. Some suggested listening: any and all of Bach's work including the Masses, Cantatas and Chorales for voice and organ, the Brandenburg Concertos, two complete books of Preludes and Fugues for the harpsichord and the early pianoforte and the Goldberg Variations - a striking example of Bach's amazing compositional ability and a foretaste of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic styles to come.

Just because of Bach's stature, other masterful composers of the period are often overshadowed or overlooked. Georg Frederic Handel composed Messiah, one of the most famous oratorios that features the familiar Hallelujah Chorus. He also wrote two well-known suites: Water Music and Fireworks Music. Heinrich Schutz composed sacred music where the voice dominates such as Psalmen Davids, Cantiones sacrae and Symphoniae sacrae.

Two well-known Italian composers wrote very entertaining and relaxing music for strings.
Antonio Vivaldi wrote brilliant Violin concerti and string orchestral works (including The Four Seasons) featuring melodies that alternately cascade, flow lyrically and leap rhythmically. Some of the harmonies are forward-looking.
The slow movements are pastoral and lyrical to the point where you can hear the birds flutter and sing while the butterflies flitter about. You can hear the monologues and dialogues between the couples walking and romping in the beauty of nature. They are very restful and will put you to sleep in a very good way. The fast movements are very rhythmic, with the bow moving rapidly back and forth across the strings, sounding at times almost like military drumming. They are very uplifting.

Archangelo Corelli was a violin virtuoso who wrote a lot of up-tempo movements for strings, not unlike those of Vivaldi, although Corelli's slow movements are not as profound and restful as those of Vivaldi. Claudio Monteverdi was an early composer of opera (L'incoronazione di Poppea) and the French baroque master, Francois Couperin wrote in various moods - happy, melancholy and, generally, whatever the occasion called for (Les Baricades Misterieuses, The Reeds.)


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