Harmony

Definition

Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to create a pleasing sound. In Baroque vocal music, harmony plays a crucial role in supporting the melody and enhancing the emotional expression of the text. The relationship between harmony and melody is essential for creating a rich texture in vocal compositions, often using techniques such as counterpoint and figured bass to add depth and complexity to the music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Baroque vocal music, harmony often follows the principles of functional harmony, where chords have specific roles and resolutions within a key.
2. The use of figured bass in Baroque music allowed composers to indicate harmonic structures, giving performers flexibility in realization.
3. Consonance and dissonance are key concepts in harmony, with Baroque composers skillfully using dissonance to create tension that resolves into consonant chords.
4. Harmony in Baroque vocal music is closely tied to the text being sung, with changes in harmony often reflecting shifts in mood or meaning within the lyrics.
5. The practice of ornamentation during vocal performances often involved improvising harmonic embellishments, enriching the overall sound of the piece.

Review Questions

• How does harmony enhance the emotional expression of text in Baroque vocal music?
  • Harmony enhances emotional expression by creating a supportive backdrop for the melody. When composers choose specific harmonies that match the lyrics' mood, it elevates the listener's emotional experience. For example, a minor chord might evoke sadness, while a major chord can convey joy. This connection between harmony and text allows singers to convey deeper meanings through their performances.
• Discuss how figured bass contributes to harmony in Baroque vocal compositions and its effect on performers.
  • Figured bass serves as a shorthand for musicians to understand the harmonic structure beneath vocal lines. By providing numbers that indicate intervals above a bass note, composers allowed performers to realize harmonies dynamically, fostering creativity. This practice not only added richness to the music but also required performers to interpret harmonies based on their understanding of musical context, making each performance unique.
• Evaluate the role of consonance and dissonance in shaping harmonic practices during the Baroque period.
  • Consonance and dissonance were pivotal in shaping Baroque harmonic practices by creating tension and resolution within compositions. Composers carefully crafted passages where dissonant chords built suspense before resolving into consonant harmonies, thereby enhancing emotional impact. This interplay not only defined the style of Baroque music but also influenced how later composers approached harmony, emphasizing its role as a dynamic and expressive element.

Related terms

Counterpoint:

A technique in music composition that involves the interplay of two or more independent melodic lines, creating a complex texture.

Figured Bass: A musical notation system used during the Baroque period, where numbers indicate intervals above the bass line, guiding the performer in realizing harmonies.

Dissonance:

A combination of notes that clash or create tension, often resolved by consonance, adding emotional depth to the music.