🎼Music History – 1600 to 1750 Unit 5 – Keyboard Music: Harpsichord and Organ

Historical Context

• Keyboard music flourished during the Baroque era (1600-1750) as the harpsichord and organ became prominent instruments
• The rise of the middle class led to increased demand for keyboard instruments and music in domestic settings
• Keyboard music was an essential part of religious services, particularly organ music in churches
• Composers began to write more complex and virtuosic pieces for keyboard instruments, showcasing their capabilities
• The development of music printing allowed for wider dissemination of keyboard compositions
• Keyboard music was influenced by national styles, such as the French (ornate and elegant) and Italian (virtuosic and expressive) styles
• The keyboard repertoire expanded to include various genres, such as preludes, fugues, toccatas, and suites

Key Composers and Works

• Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643), an Italian composer known for his keyboard works, particularly his toccatas and partitas
  • His "Fiori musicali" (1635) is a collection of organ works for the Catholic liturgy
• Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621), a Dutch composer who influenced the development of the North German organ school
  • His "Fantasia cromatica" is a notable example of his keyboard style
• Johann Jakob Froberger (1616-1667), a German composer who popularized the keyboard suite
  • His "Suite No. 20 in D Major" showcases the standard movements of the Baroque suite (Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue)
• François Couperin (1668-1733), a French composer known for his ornate and expressive harpsichord works
  • His "Pièces de clavecin" (1713-1730) is a collection of harpsichord suites that exemplify the French style
• Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), an Italian composer famous for his 555 keyboard sonatas
  • His "Sonata in E Major, K. 380" is a virtuosic piece that showcases the harpsichord's capabilities
• George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), a German-born composer who spent most of his career in England
  • His "Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430" is a well-known harpsichord work that includes the famous "Harmonious Blacksmith" variations
• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), a German composer considered one of the greatest composers of all time
  • His "Well-Tempered Clavier" (Book 1, 1722; Book 2, 1742) is a monumental collection of preludes and fugues in all 24 keys, showcasing the possibilities of equal temperament tuning

Harpsichord: Structure and Mechanics

• The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by plucking strings with quills attached to the keys
• The instrument has one or two manuals (keyboards) and can have multiple sets of strings for different timbres and volume levels
• The strings are made of metal (usually brass or iron) and are stretched over a soundboard
• The action of the harpsichord involves a complex system of levers, jacks, and plectra (quills) that pluck the strings when a key is pressed
• The harpsichord has a limited dynamic range, as the volume cannot be varied by the force of the player's touch
• Harpsichords often have a lute stop, which presses felt against the strings to create a softer, more muted sound
• The instrument's sound is bright, crisp, and articulate, making it well-suited for contrapuntal music and accompaniment
• Harpsichords were often highly decorated with intricate paintings, inlays, and carvings, reflecting the tastes and wealth of their owners

Organ: Structure and Mechanics

• The organ is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by forcing air through pipes of various sizes and materials
• The instrument consists of one or more manuals (keyboards) and a pedalboard played with the feet
• The pipes are arranged in ranks, each of which produces a specific timbre and pitch range
• The organ's sound is controlled by stops, which are knobs or levers that activate or deactivate specific ranks of pipes
• The wind supply for the organ is provided by bellows, which are operated either manually or by an electric motor
• The action of the organ involves a complex system of trackers, rollers, and valves that connect the keys to the pipes
• Organs can vary greatly in size, ranging from small positive organs with a single manual to massive cathedral organs with multiple manuals and thousands of pipes
• The organ's ability to sustain notes indefinitely and its wide range of timbres make it well-suited for sacred music and large-scale works

Performance Practices

• Keyboard music of the Baroque era was characterized by the use of ornamentation, improvisation, and expressive timing
• Composers often provided only a skeletal score, expecting the performer to embellish and interpret the music
• Ornamentation, such as trills, mordents, and turns, was used to add interest and expression to the melodic lines
• Improvisation was an essential skill for keyboard players, who were expected to create preludes, interludes, and cadenzas on the spot
• The use of rubato, or expressive timing, was common in keyboard performances, particularly in slower, more expressive movements
• Keyboard music was often performed in intimate settings, such as homes and small chapels, which influenced the style and character of the compositions
• The development of fingering techniques, such as the use of the thumb and the crossing of hands, allowed for greater virtuosity and complexity in keyboard music
• Keyboard players were also expected to be skilled in the art of accompaniment, providing support for singers and other instrumentalists

Musical Forms and Styles

• The keyboard suite, consisting of a series of stylized dances (e.g., Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue), was a popular form in the Baroque era
• The prelude, a free-form improvisatory piece, often served as an introduction to a suite or as a standalone work
• The fugue, a contrapuntal composition based on a single theme (subject) that is imitated and developed throughout the piece, was a hallmark of Baroque keyboard music
• The toccata, a virtuosic and improvisatory piece that showcased the player's technical skills, was another common form in keyboard music
• Keyboard variations, in which a theme is subjected to a series of transformations and elaborations, were popular among composers and audiences alike
• The French style of keyboard music (style galant) emphasized elegance, ornamentation, and expressive refinement
• The Italian style of keyboard music (stylus fantasticus) emphasized virtuosity, improvisation, and dramatic contrasts
• The North German organ school, influenced by the Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, was known for its complex contrapuntal textures and virtuosic pedal work

Technological Developments

• The development of the equal temperament tuning system allowed for the use of all 24 keys on the keyboard, expanding the range of compositional possibilities
• Improvements in the construction of harpsichords, such as the addition of multiple manuals and the use of different materials for the strings, led to greater tonal variety and expressive range
• The invention of the fortepiano in the early 18th century, which allowed for dynamic control through the player's touch, paved the way for the modern piano
• Advancements in organ building, such as the addition of more stops and the use of larger pipes, allowed for greater tonal diversity and power
• The development of music printing technology, such as the use of movable type and engraved plates, made keyboard music more widely available and accessible
• The standardization of keyboard notation, including the use of the grand staff and the adoption of equal temperament, facilitated the dissemination and performance of keyboard music across Europe
• The creation of the clavichord, a small, intimate keyboard instrument that allowed for some dynamic control, provided composers and performers with another expressive tool
• The invention of the metronome in the early 19th century, although after the Baroque period, helped to standardize tempo and rhythm in keyboard performances

Cultural Impact and Legacy

• Keyboard music played a significant role in the cultural life of the Baroque era, serving as entertainment, education, and spiritual edification
• The harpsichord and organ were essential instruments in the courts, churches, and homes of Europe, reflecting the tastes and values of the time
• Keyboard compositions were often used as pedagogical tools, helping to train aspiring musicians in the art of performance and composition
• The virtuosic and expressive nature of Baroque keyboard music influenced the development of later styles, such as the Classical and Romantic eras
• The works of great Baroque keyboard composers, such as Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti, continue to be performed, studied, and admired by musicians and audiences around the world
• The legacy of Baroque keyboard music can be seen in the continued use of the harpsichord and organ in contemporary classical music, as well as in the influence of Baroque styles on popular music genres
• The technical and expressive innovations of Baroque keyboard music laid the foundation for the development of the modern piano and its repertoire
• The cultural impact of Baroque keyboard music extends beyond the realm of music, influencing art, literature, and philosophy, and serving as a testament to the creative spirit of the era