1) During which century and in which country was the violin as we know it today developed?
The violin can also be referred to as the viola or cello which was made in the 16 th century in Italy. The instrument has evolved over the years; the earliest evidence was seen in painting from the 1530s.
2) The narrator refers to the Louis XIII and Louis XIV as Absolute Kings of France. The Baroque era was an era of Absolute Monarchs. Please define, in at least a paragraph, Absolute Monarchs.
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Absolute monarch means that the king has sovereign powers to rule by divine right. This also means that the ruling family holds supreme authority which is not restricted by laws, customs or the government. It is also defined by passing power from one member of the royal family to another and they were justified by Divine Right of Kings and believed to be God sent. Absolute monarchs are narrated from Louis XIII and Louis XIV of France as an example.
3) Which French “Absolute King” gave him starring roles in ballets?
Louis XIV of France studied ballet and he had composed principal roles for the court.
4) How does the narrator define the Overture (Overture)?
a. What did the Italians call it?
b. Which other genres did overtures also eventually come to be written for?
The overture can be defined as a piece that introduces the beginning of instrumental works. Italians used to refer the overture as Sinfonia. Eventually, overtures were done for other genres such as concerto genre, concerto grosso to a solo concerto.
5) Which composer was in charge of the 24 Violins of the King for over 30 years?
Jean-Baptiste Lully was the composer who was in charge of the 24 violins of the King for over 30 years.
6) Arcangelo Corelli gathered string instruments together into groups and created a new form for them. The new form consisted of a large group alternating with a small group. What is the form called?
a. How does the narrator claim that this form makes its impact?
b. Which painting technique does he compare the form’s impact to?
Arcangelo Corelli gathered string instruments together into groups and created a new form which consisted of a large group alternating with a small group known as a sonata. This form makes an impact with its fast-slow-fast sequence. The painting technique that can be compared to the form’s impact is Louis XIV’s patronage.
7) In the concerto grosso, what is the smaller group called?
a. What is the larger group called?
In the concerto grosso, the smaller group is known as soli or concertino and the large group is known as tutti.
8) Vivaldi is the composer who would make the concerto truly famous. What is the significant change that he made to Corelli’s instrumentation?
Vivaldi is the composer who would make the concerto truly famous. He is the person who made a revolution to the concerto genre by moving it from concerto grosso and having alternations between a soloist and an orchestra.
9) Vivaldi’s concertos introduced the idea of virtuosity into the concerto genre. In your own words, please define virtuosity.
His concerts introduced the idea of virtuosity into the concert genre. Virtuosity can be defined as a great technical skill which makes a piece of art fine.
10) Which English composer was a master of using the “law of attraction” to string together chords in such a way as to create a sense of forward motion, or “driving the music along?”
George Frideric Handel is the English composer who was the master of using the law of attraction to string together chords in such a way to create a sense of forwarding motion or driving the music along.
11) The narrator makes some really great point about how the musical tools, techniques, and discoveries of the Baroque era form the foundation of much of our music, both “Classical” and popular, today. Please write a short paragraph that summarizes the impact of this era’s developments on our modern music.
The music tools, techniques, and discoveries of the Baroque era form the foundation of much of our modern music. This is because the first system of functional harmony was fully developed in the Baroque era. Some songwriters also chose to use instruments or progressions that were used during the Baroque .
12) When the “musical map of Europe” was re-drawn, the focus shifted from Italy to which country?
When the musical map of Europe was redrawn, the focus shifted from Italy to Bologna.
13) Which German composer wrote over 300 cantatas that were based almost exclusively on German Lutheran hymn tunes called Chorales?
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer who wrote over 300 cantatas that were based almost exclusively on German Lutheran hymn tunes called Chorales.
14) The narrator speaks of Bach’s use of dissonances. In your own words, what is dissonance?
a. What feeling(s) might it be used to convey besides those mentioned in the documentary?
Bach used dissonance to mean that the musical notes lacked harmony. Other feelings that can be used to convey dissonance besides those mentioned in the documentary include; disagreement, tension, discrepancy, and incongruity.
15) How does the narrator define counterpoint?
a. Is counterpoint monophonic or polyphonic?
The narrator describes counterpoint as a technique used to play a melody or melodies combined with another to form a notable or pleasing contrast to another thing. Counterpoint can be associated with polyphony.
16) Which Bach genre is shared in the video as an example of Bach at his “Einstein-like” best?
WACHET AUF (sleepers, awake) is the genre that is shared in the video as an example of Bach at his “Einstein-like” best.
17) What are Bach’s Passions?
a. How many did he write?
b. What is significant about them?
c. How long are they?
Bach wrote four passions namely St John Passion, St Mathew Passion, St Luke Passion, and St Mark Passion. The passions are significant because they were used in a church sermon. Also, they had two parts which were performed before and after the service.
18) What does Goodall describe as the single most important development in Western music history?
a. Why was this development so important – what things did it make possible?
Goodall describes notation as the single most important development in western music history. Notation creates an image that helps to appreciate the importance of written music for the development of composing, disseminating, and preservation of music. The development of Western music is important for it to make accessibility of music to be possible.
19) Which composer wrote two books of pieces to be played in all 12 of the new standardized keys, both major and minor?
a. What did he call these books?
Johann Sebastian Bach is the composer who wrote two books of pieces to be played in all 12 of the new standardized keys, both major and minor. The two books he wrote are known as The Well-Tempered Clavier and First Lessons in Bach.
20) Which instrument was invented circa 1700 and called the “emperor and empress of the whole world of music?”
a. What could it do those similar instruments before it could not do?
Violin is the instrument which was invented circa 1700 and called the “emperor and empress of the whole world of music. It could be played by plucking the strings with fingers and by striking the strings with the wooden side of the bow.
21) Which composer was a contemporary of Bach who made his name composing first operas and then oratorios?
a. How many operas did he write?
b. In what language and for which city?
George Frideric Handel was a contemporary of Bach who made his name composing first operas and the oratorios. He wrote 42 operas in the English language when he was in England.
22) How would you define an oratorio?
a. What made it similar to opera?
b. What made it different?
c. Passions were aimed at a church audience – who were oratorios aimed at pleasing?
An oratorio is a narrative musical work for orchestra and voices and sacred themes that are performed without any costumes or actions. It is similar to opera because it uses both a soloist and a choir. The two differ because an opera is a musical theatre while an oratorio is a sole concert piece. Oratorios are aimed to please people in places of prayer.
