BAROQUE COMPOSERS

Johann Sebastian Bach

Coming in at number one is Johann Sebastian Bach (16851750), one of the best-known of
all composers in classical music.
Bach was born into one of the great musical families of the day. A natural genius at the
keyboard, he mastered the organ and harpsichord and was simply a brilliant composer.
Bach brought baroque music to its climax, writing over 1,000 compositions in nearly every
type of musical form.

Popular Works: "Air on a G String," "Double Violin Concerto," "Brandenburg Concerto No. 3," "B
Minor Mass," "The Unaccompanied Cello Suites"

George Frideric Handel

Born in the same year as Bach in a town 50 miles away, George Frideric Handel (16851759), who later became a British
citizen, lead a much different life than Bach.

Handel, too, composed for every musical genre of his time. He is credited with creating the English oratorio, most
famous among these was "Messiah." Handel also specialized in operas and often took on the Italian-style cantatas.
Popular Works: "(The) Messiah," "Music for the Royal Fireworks," "Water Music"
 Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi (16781741) wrote over 500 concertos and is believed to have invented ritornello form
in which a theme returns throughout the piece. Known as a virtuoso violinist and prolific composer,
Vivaldi often held the title of Maestro de' Concerti (director of instrumental music) at Vienna's
Ospedale della Pieta.

His influence was felt throughout the later years of the Baroque Period. However, much of Vivaldis
music lay undiscovered until the early 1930s. This newly identified music earned Vivaldi the title,
The Viennese Counterpart to Bach and Handel.

Popular Works: "The Four Seasons," "Gloria," "Con Alla Rustica in G"

George Philipp Telemann

A good friend of both Bach and Handel, George Philipp Telemann (16811767) was also a
distinguished musician and composer of his time. He, too, appeared in the latter part of the Baroque
Period.

Telemanns incorporation of unusual instrumentation in his concertos is one of the things that that
made him unique. His church music is most notable. As a music teacher, he was known for organizing
students and offering concerts to the public.

Popular Works: "Viola Concerto in G," "Trio Sonata in C Minor," "(The) Paris Quartets"
 Henry Purcell
Within a lifetime of only 35 years, Henry Purcell (16591695) achieved musical greatness. He was
considered one of Englands greatest composers and the most original composer of his time.

Purcell was extremely talented in word-setting and composed very successful works for the stage. His
chamber music of suites and sonatas, as well as compositions for the church and courts, also helped
establish his name in music history.

Popular Works: "Dido & Aeneas," "The Fairy Queen," "Sound the Trumpet"

Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti (16851757) was the son of Alessandro Scarlatti, another well-known baroque
composer. The younger Scarlatti wrote 555 known harpsichord sonatas, over half of which were
written in the last six years of his life.

Scarlatti made use of Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish dance rhythms throughout many of his works.
He was also admired by his contemporaries and influenced many, including the Portuguese
keyboard composer, Carlos de Seixas.

Popular Works: "Essercizi per Gravicembalo" (Sonatas for Harpsichord)