The Baroque period covers roughly 150 years of music history, divided into the early (1605 to 1630), middle (1630 to 1680), and late (1680 to 1750) periods. Just a quick detour into music theory. Baroque music introduces the figured bass (also known as the thorough bass), as composers began what was to become an obsession … Continue reading Back in the Baroque: An Introduction and Preview
Tag: Popular Music
Renaissance Music IX: The End of an Era, Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), Part I
We now arrive at the singular musical genius of Claudio Monteverdi. In any list of the most important composers in history, he’s Top 10, easily. As much as I love Tallis and Allegri, neither is on Monteverdi’s level artistically. Unlike Bach, who fully embodied his age with such mastery that (at least for me) his … Continue reading Renaissance Music IX: The End of an Era, Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), Part I
Renaissance Music VIII: Pop Stars
In the late Renaissance, music began to change in substance, form and function. The Church, the mighty patron of composers since the beginning of the European musical tradition, was about to take a back seat to secular music, led by a wave of popular songsmiths of the late 16th century. Chief among these new pop … Continue reading Renaissance Music VIII: Pop Stars
Renaissance Music II: The Origin of Popular Music
As Simon and Garfunkel and other 20th century pop bands have taken a bow in this blog, a few words about popular music are warranted—popular music would play an increasing role in the development of music, surpassing the importance of what I call “formal music” for much of the 20th century. Finding its origin in … Continue reading Renaissance Music II: The Origin of Popular Music
A Gertus History of Music 