Professor Johannes Menke joins the podcast to discuss the French Baroque Style, Satzmodelle in 17th-century French music, the unique identity of French music in the 17th and 18th centuries, exploring the recognition of Italian and French composers, the concept of Satsmodel in French Baroque Style, limitations of Basso Continuo, the reception and future of Satsmodel and Thoroughbass in music education in Germany, exploring the Hexacordal 18th Century Italian Sulfegeo Method of Ear Training, the influence of Partimento and Satsmodel pedagogy on Bach, and the value of learning Partimento and pursuing composition.
The French Baroque style of music in the 17th and 18th centuries had a distinct national identity influenced by King Louis XIV and Italian music, with composers like Jean-Baptiste Lully and François Couperin contributing to its development.
Thoroughbass and partimento were important musical practices in France during this period, influencing composers like Jean-Philippe Rameau and François Couperin in developing unique harmonies, chord progressions, and improvisation techniques.
The French Satzmodel, characterized by specific chord progressions and harmonic techniques like the augmented fifth chord and ascending sixth-four chord, was a defining element of the French Baroque style, influencing composers such as Jean-Baptiste Lully and François Couperin.
Deep dives
French Baroque music and its unique identity
During the podcast episode, the speaker and guest discuss the unique identity of French Baroque music in the 17th and 18th centuries. They highlight how King Louis XIV played a significant role in developing a specific French culture, including music. This led to the emergence of French composers who established a distinct French style with specific harmonies, choirs, and counterpoint. The French style was influenced by Italian music but evolved to have its own national identity. Notable French composers, such as Jean-Baptiste Lully and François Couperin, contributed to this development. The French Baroque style had a significant impact on European music during that era.
The influence of thoroughbass and partimento in France
Thoroughbass and partimento were important musical practices in France during the 17th and 18th centuries. Thoroughbass was used in church music and was taught in institutions, while partimento was used as exercises for composition. French composers like Jean-Philippe Rameau and François Couperin were influenced by these practices. The use of thoroughbass and partimento allowed composers to develop harmonies, chord progressions, and improvisation techniques that were distinct to the French style. The episode also mentions treatises by Nivers and Chémisson as important sources for understanding the French approach to thoroughbass.
The significance of improvisation and the French Satzmodel
The episode discusses the importance of improvisation and the French Satzmodel in music during the Baroque period. Improvisation was a common practice among organists, and keyboard composers like Jean-Henri d'Anglebert and François Couperin were influenced by this improvisatory style. The French Satzmodel comprised specific chord progressions and harmonic techniques that helped define the French Baroque style. Examples of the Satzmodel include the use of certain chords, such as the augmented fifth chord, and specific chord progressions like the ascending sixth-four chord. These improvisatory and harmonic techniques were unique to the French style and influenced the works of composers like Jean-Baptiste Lully and François Couperin.
The Importance of Basso Continuo in Composition Technique
Basso Continuo holds significant importance in composition technique, particularly in the Baroque era. Composers like Lully emphasized the need to understand the fundamental rules and logic of bass progressions. However, it should be noted that Basso Continuo is not the sole system for understanding harmony, as counterpoint provides a different approach. The combination of Basso Continuo and counterpoint allows for a comprehensive understanding of composition techniques and the rules of progression.
Exploring the Cadence Adopia and its Limitations
The Cadence Adopia is a fascinating concept found in Italian treatises on partimenti. However, it is important to note that Basso Continuo alone cannot explain everything about the Cadence Adopia. Gasparini's treatise introduced a diminished version of the cadence, revealing different variations of the bass line while the upper voices remain consistent. This highlights the limitations of Basso Continuo in capturing the various bass progressions and families of chords. The Cadence Adopia demonstrates the need to combine Basso Continuo with other tools to fully grasp and analyze its complexities.
