Baroque Era (1600-1700) – birth of the orchestra. Sounds of Baroque music remain iconic, poetic, ornate, emotive, enchanting. Defining attributes – origin of harpsichord, viola, emergence of modern harmony. Genius composers like Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, Monteverdi.
Religious music had an elaborate focus. Composers like Purcell, Handel, Bach made brilliant, beautiful church music. Towering sacred Baroque canon – Bach’s St Matthew’s Passion, Handel’s Messiah.