Artistic Features And Singing Characteristics Of Music At Baroque Times

A great number of lasting vocal music works were created during Baroque times which implied strong artistic flavours. These works not only reflect humanism, affirm human beings' senses but also give thorough and fluent expression of music by using far-ranging themes, beautiful melodies, new rhythm markers and many makers of force expressions showing strength changes. Thus all this enforces the music expressive force and forms the splendid, elegant, majestic, solemn, introspective and fully philosophical music styles. And it is just because of these rich artistic characteristics that make it remain welcomed in the 400-years music history. Baroque's outstanding achievements of vocal music-opera progressed the birth of Bel Canto. Since then, musicians of the 17th century represented by Giulio Caccini have made summerization and generalization of singing methods and teaching principles, so a scientific and complete vocal music system came into being, which pushed vocal music development to its peak. Thus a comprehensive art form combing singing styles, aesthetic principles and teaching theories was derived.These music works exert influence not just in Europe but throughout the whole world and they are also enlightening and significant to China's vocal nusic development. By analyzing the artistic features and singing characteristics at different stages of Baroque's vocal music works, this thesis hopes to provide some references for the performers who wish to study the works during this period. The paper will be divided into four parts:First, general statement of vocal and vocal music development at Baroque times. During the late 16th century and the early 17th century, the singing form-bel canto came into being in Florence, Italy and other genres of vocal music were also flourish. These genres are not only colorful in forms but also fresh in characteristic.Second, artistic features of vocal music at Baroque times. Along with the development of vocal music art, flexible rhythm and metre patterns begin. Texture starts to change from apolyphony to homophony. In content, love and nature are eulogized; humanim is showed. In materials, myths, religious subjects and secular life are adopted and emotional expression is paid attention to. Third, the singing features of vocal music at Baroque times. The art development of Baroque times extends for a century and a half. And it can be divided into three stages according to the factors of creation main body and performance tendency:Early, Middle and Late. The Early stage is characterized for the main trends of styles of excitation and dramatic reciative in music creation and singing expression. The Middle stage puts emphasis on the music explanation centering on lyricism, melodies and aria. The Late stage focuses on music performances centering on virtuoso and adornment, with colorful singing characteristics embodied at different stages.Fourth, the significance of vocal music at Baroque times on present vocal music teaching. By learning vocal music at Baroque times we can gain good aesthetic experience, improve music culture, singing performance and techniques. It also helpful to strengthen the collaboration ability between the singers and the accompaniment.