Baroque Music

January 12, 2013 at 10:22 PM

I think a lot of us can say the same thing:

We love Baroque music.

I've never had to force myself to love or appreciate Baroque music; it was a passion that came as easily as breathing, and I'm sure there are plentiful others here who've been in a state where Bach is obviously FAR superior to breathing.

There is something beautiful about this era of music. Beneath the seeming simplicity of its works, there are a plethora of brilliant lines and instruments working together in such a way that you almost forget about the time signature. The Chaconne is not in 3/4 time; it's utterly timeless.

Pardon the dramatic tone here, guys, but I really need to vent about this, because it means a lot to me.

I'm a beginner, so I know there's a long road ahead before I can really beautifully play - and possible even comprehend - the depth and genius these works have to offer.

But regardless of age, sex, race, favourite kind of tea, or whether you play an instrument or not, Baroque music has a universal appeal.

Baroque violinist Monica Huggett described gut strings as being somewhat nutty in flavour - simple sounding, but full of depth, and an instrinsic lightness. I think this perfectly describes not only the tone of the gut strings, but of Baroque music as a whole.

A favourite piece of mine is H.I.F. Biber's Passacaglia. When you listen to it, it sounds puritan, fresh, simple; but even listening a fraction harder will open up the more intricate details of the piece.

I have always been able to connect to Baroque music and earlier music in a way that I have not connected to Classical music, or Romantic music. I love them all, but the former has a special place in my heart.

Like in all music, there is a work for all moods. When I'm happy, I love the bounciness and freedom in Bach's Partita No. 2 Gigue, the simple but lovely theme of Charpentier's 'Te Deum' Prelude, or a relaxing piece of Handel.

And then we have the darker works; of course the Chaconne, but the Albinoni-Tomaso Adagio, Dowland's rather melancholy lute works, and - strangely - Handel's Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major. I always cry at the last movement - although perhaps not through sadness.

When I'm in a position where I believe I can do these wonderful works some kind of justice, I would love to arrange some kind of musical evening at my school, with Baroque music quite predominant - if not totally dominant in the programme. Everyone should be introduced to this wonderful music. Even if this is all you take from this rant of a blog - tell the world why you love Baroque music!

One day, I have no doubt I'll be able to satisfy my dream and put on some kind of 'show', if you will, of Baroque music, with some other friends. My music teacher is a pianist, and adores the Bach harpsichord and organ works.

A friend on cello has yet to be convinced.

I'll tear him away from the Elgar and get him some Vivaldi if it kills me.

Thanks for reading. Have a lovely day or night, wherever you might be.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 1:57 PM

Baroque music is wonderful. Enjoy learning it and playing it.

From Charlie Gibbs
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:50 PM

To be honest, it took me a while to turn on to baroque music (with the exception of J.S. Bach, of course). It all sounded so dry, conjuring up images of stuffy aristocrats in powdered wigs, playing frilly music in their frilly clothes. (OK, Handel still goes a bit over the top sometimes.)

But there's nothing like seeing something from the inside to really understand it, and when I started playing Corelli with a few friends, things changed. My eyes have been opened to just how delightful baroque music can be. Recently we shelled out the bucks to see Tafelmusik perform locally - it was an evening in heaven.

I still love music from other periods, but I'm now a fan of baroque music as well.

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Baroque Music

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