While both the Middle Ages and the Renaissance were fairly mild, the Baroque era got a little more complex. Baroque actually came from the Portuguese word barocco, meaning irregularly shaped pearl and referring to excessive ornamentation. This era was known for its scientific revolution; Sir Isaac Newton created his laws of gravity, Johaness Kepler discovered that the planets move around the son, William Harvey discovered the circulation, and Santorio Santorii created the thermometer.
The Baroque era was all about theatrics and dramatic representation, hence the name “Baroque”. Even the arts of the day were portrayed on crowded canvases, in energetic or even violent motions, with an extreme contrast between light and dark. For instance, the two different statues of David, one sculpted by Michelangelo and one sculpted over 100 years later by Bernini. In Michelangelo’s interpretation, David was calm and in a relaxed position, almost as if this depiction was frozen in the moments before his encounter with Goliath; however, in Bernini’s interpretation, David was in the midst of launching the famous stone at his rival. …show more content…
Instruments were definitely getting closer to those we have today. They used keyboard instruments such as the organ and harpsichord, and orchestral instruments like the oboe, violin, trumpet, and flute. The rhythm had a strong repeating beat with an energy about it. Harmonies were in major-minor keys. Cellos or bassoons were responsible for the bass line and the organ or harpsichord would fill in the gaps where chords should be. In contrast with Renaissance music, Baroque music consisted of a strong rhythmic pulse, voices and instruments, continuous melodies, mixed textures, and major and minor
The Baroque era was all about theatrics and dramatic representation, hence the name “Baroque”. Even the arts of the day were portrayed on crowded canvases, in energetic or even violent motions, with an extreme contrast between light and dark. For instance, the two different statues of David, one sculpted by Michelangelo and one sculpted over 100 years later by Bernini. In Michelangelo’s interpretation, David was calm and in a relaxed position, almost as if this depiction was frozen in the moments before his encounter with Goliath; however, in Bernini’s interpretation, David was in the midst of launching the famous stone at his rival. …show more content…
Instruments were definitely getting closer to those we have today. They used keyboard instruments such as the organ and harpsichord, and orchestral instruments like the oboe, violin, trumpet, and flute. The rhythm had a strong repeating beat with an energy about it. Harmonies were in major-minor keys. Cellos or bassoons were responsible for the bass line and the organ or harpsichord would fill in the gaps where chords should be. In contrast with Renaissance music, Baroque music consisted of a strong rhythmic pulse, voices and instruments, continuous melodies, mixed textures, and major and minor