Baroque (1600-1750)

Baroque Composers and Musicians
A musicologist wrote this descriptive history of music in the baroque era. Discover how the Renaissance style developed into the baroque. Then explore how baroque music traveled from Italy to Germany, England, France, Spain, and finally, the colonies that eventually became America. Wrap up with the biographies of major baroque composers.

Baroque Music
This comprehensive site, authored by a musicologist, provides a basic definition of baroque music. It also explains the two schools of thought on the performance of baroque music, examines the era's most influential composers, describes some unusual instruments, and recommends budget-priced recordings that best demonstrate the style.

Baroque Music.com
This site begins with a brief Q & A about baroque music. Follow the "Information" link for composer biographies, instrument descriptions and photos, and recording recommendations. Then stop by the MIDI Archive for a few clips of popular baroque pieces.

The Classical Music Pages: Fugue
Name a style of music composition in which the main theme is continuously repeated by several voices or instruments at different times. If you guessed a fugue, you're right! Read how some of music's biggest names, from Bach to Beethoven, based their work on the fugue, which reached the height of its development during the late baroque period.

Music History 102: The Baroque Age
In this installment of the Internet Public Library's exhibit on music history, you'll learn about the Baroque era, when incredible advances in art, science, and music were made. After you've read the brief historical background material, hear a new instrument (the harpsichord), explore a new format (opera), and meet a few Baroque composers.

NPR's Sunday Baroque
Sunday Baroque is a weekly NPR radio program that highlights existing baroque music recordings. Visit the "Links" section to research baroque composers and instruments. Check out the "Playlist" section to see what's on tap for the upcoming show. Want to listen in? Click on "Our Stations" to find out where to move your radio dial.