Harmony replaces polyphony, and
instrumental music takes the lead. Opera becomes the ultimate combination
of music and drama. The piano is also born, and Bach praises the clavier
with a well tempered hymn.
The
Baroque era is marked by harmony.
The first operas
appear at the beginning of the 17th century,
accompanied by harmony played in the "figured bass" technique.
In polyphonic
music, meter
is indicated, and it is not free, as in the
past.
Instrumental music evolves further,
after thousands of years of vocal music (sonata
is an instrumental work typical to the Baroque, unlike the vocal cantata).
The suite also emerges as a collection of popular dances - it will turn
into a purely artistic form.
Bach
brings polyphonic writing to its peak,
and in fact no one continues to write in this style after his death.
Handel,
Bach's internationally successful peer, develops the oratorio,
which is a musical play on biblical topics (Judas
Maccabaeus, Israel
in Egypt, Messiah
and more).
Gluck
develops opera towards a more serious, dramatic
direction, yet enriches it with many charming melodies.
"Orfeo" is
his most famous opera.
The
Baroque era is marked by harmony
.
The first operas
