Read about the following composers, listen to examples of their work, and be able to identify them as composers of the Baroque Period (1600-1750).

Antonio Vivaldi	Spring   from The Four Seasons
George Frederic Handel	oratorio: Messiah, "Halleluia" suite: Water Music, "Hornpipe" opera: Giulio Cesare, Act III, Aria "Day l'ondoso periglio"
Claudio Monteverdi	The Coronation of Poppea, Act III, scene vii.
Henry Purcell	Dido and Aeneas, Act III, the Lament
Johann Sebastian Bach	Chorale Prelude A Mighty Fortress is Our God Brandenburg Concerto #2, First Movement and  Second Movement
Georg Philipp Telemann	Concerto in D Major: Allegro
Arcangelo Corelli	"Trio Sonata," Fourth Movement

The student will listen to a recitative from Wachet Auf, a cantata by Bach, and compare it with an aria from Messiah by Handel. Notice the difference in the declamatory style used to "set the stage and plot" with the recitative and compare it with the beautiful, tuneful melody of the Aria.

The student will listen to the opening theme of the first movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto #2. Notice as you listen to the rest of the movement how this theme, the "Ritornello" theme, keeps coming back to unify the composition. 

Explore the page from NPR entitled "The Premiere of Handel's 'Messiah'" from National Public Radio. Be sure to listen to all audio clips

Explore the page from NPR entitled "Johann Sebastian Bach: The Brook and the Wellspring." Be sure to listen to all audio clips

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