We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Baroque Orchestras?

By Liz Thomas
Updated: Feb 13, 2024
Views: 8,510
Share

The term "Baroque orchestra" originally referred to those orchestral music groups that existed during the Baroque period. Currently, they refer to modern orchestras that play only Baroque music and contain all the instruments typically found in the original baroque groups. Baroque music incorporated the fundamental ideals of the period and produced some new orchestral forms, including the concerto.

The original orchestras were formed during the Baroque period, from the early 1600s to the middle of the 1700s. During this time period, the concept of an orchestra was born. Composers of this era began to focus on the importance of more complete instrumentation to accompany ballet and opera. Eventually, they began composing pieces specifically for instruments without the benefit of actors, dancers, or vocalists.

The orchestras that played during the Baroque period were small, typically containing about 30 musicians. The first Baroque orchestras can be attributed to Jean-Baptiste Lully, a French composer. He designed a transverse flute and hautboy to be used in his orchestra.

The transverse flute refers to flutes that are played horizontally, as modern flutes are. Originally, flutes were held vertically, played in a style similar to the recorder. A hautboy is the first version of the modern oboe.

Instrumentation of these orchestras also included standard woodwind and violin sections. The harpsichord and the theorboe, two continuo instruments, were also part of the orchestra. A theorbo can best be described as a long necked lute or early guitar that contains two pegboards on the neck.

The music composed for Baroque orchestras was made with specific instruments in mind, and is very different from the large orchestrations used by composers from future periods, such as Beethoven and Wagner. Once Baroque music became popular in France, it quickly spread to the rest of Europe.

Current Baroque orchestras use the same instruments as those that played during the Baroque period. Typically, these groups exclusively play historic music composed and performed during the Baroque period. These orchestras became popular in the 1970s when period orchestras were revived.

The concerto is a popular type of music that is played extensively with Baroque orchestras. In this style of music there is a solo instrument that is featured with the orchestra accompanying. As with the rest of the Baroque period, the music began to incorporate themes of nature and religion. One example of a famous concerto played during this time is Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-are-baroque-orchestras.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.