Originally, the term “Baroque orchestra” referred to orchestral music groups that existed during the Baroque period. They now refer to modern orchestras that specialize in Baroque music and feature all of the instruments found in the original baroque ensembles. The concerto was one of the new orchestral forms created by Baroque music, which incorporated the period’s fundamental ideals.
Orchestras were first formed during the Baroque period, which lasted from the early 1600s to the mid-1700s. The concept of an orchestra was born during this time period. This era’s composers began to emphasize the importance of a more complete instrumentation for ballet and opera. They eventually began composing pieces for instruments alone, without the use of actors, dancers, or vocalists.
During the Baroque period, orchestras were typically small, containing around 30 musicians. Jean-Baptiste Lully, a French composer, is credited with creating the first Baroque orchestras. In order to use in his orchestra, he designed a transverse flute and a hautboy.
Flutes that are played horizontally, such as modern flutes, are referred to as transverse flutes. Flutes were originally held vertically and played in a similar manner to the recorder. The first version of the modern oboe was the hautboy.
These orchestras were also equipped with standard woodwind and violin sections. The orchestra also included the harpsichord and theorboe, two continuo instruments. A theorbo is a long-necked lute or early guitar with two pegboards on the neck.
The music written for Baroque orchestras was written with specific instruments in mind, as opposed to the large orchestrations used by later composers like Beethoven and Wagner. After becoming popular in France, Baroque music quickly spread throughout Europe.
The instruments used by modern Baroque orchestras are the same as those used during the Baroque period. These ensembles typically perform only historic music composed and performed during the Baroque period. When period orchestras were revived in the 1970s, these orchestras became popular.
Concertos are a popular type of music that is frequently performed by Baroque orchestras. A solo instrument is featured in this style of music, which is accompanied by the orchestra. The music began to incorporate themes of nature and religion, as it did throughout the Baroque period. Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is an example of a well-known concerto from this period.