What are the main characteristics of the Baroque period in music?

The Baroque period in music spanned from around 1600 to 1750 and is characterized by a rich, ornate style of music that emphasized drama, emotion, and virtuosity. Here are some of the key characteristics of Baroque music:

• Ornamentation: Baroque music is known for its elaborate ornamentation, including trills, turns, and other embellishments that added beauty and complexity to the melody.
• Harmony: Baroque music often featured complex and intricate harmonies, often created by layering multiple melodies on top of each other.
• Basso continuo: This is a hallmark of Baroque music, and it involves a bass line played by a harpsichord, organ, or other instrument, accompanied by another instrument, such as a cello or bassoon.
• Contrast: Baroque music often featured sharp contrasts between loud and soft, fast and slow, and major and minor keys.
• Opera: Opera emerged during the Baroque period, and it featured elaborate sets, costumes, and staging, as well as singing that emphasized drama and emotion.

Overall, Baroque music was characterized by a desire for grandeur, ornamentation, and dramatic expression, and it laid the foundation for the development of classical music.