Baroque Period
The Roman Catholic Church primarily dominated the Baroque period. During the Baroque period, architects and music composers experimented methods of bringing life to building designs as well as music. As a result of experiments, music, and architecture from the baroque period took a dramatic turn as it was characterized by exaggeration and decoration. One of the most significant events from the baroque period was the completion of St. Peter’s Square. One of the music compositions connected to the completion of St. Peter’s Square is Ave Maria by Gregorian Plainchant.
Ave Maria is music from the Baroque period composed by Gregorian Plainchant. Ave Maria can be traced to the very beginning of the church (Newsome). The square was meant to complement the St. Peter’s Basilica, which remains to be the largest church in the world. As stated earlier, the baroque period was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. Therefore, as the St. Peter’s Square was getting constructed by a baroque architect, Ave Maria was composed to match the elegance of the square. A single melodic idea characterizes Ave Maria. The composition does not use musical instruments. Instead, the singers vary their voices to create a melody. A balanced harmony dominates the texture. The most significant characteristic of Ave Maria is the continuous rhythmic drive.
Ave Maria is largely connected to the construction and completion of St. Peter’s Square. The veneration of the Blessed virgin took on increased importance within the standard liturgy after the papacy took an interest in building the Church (Newsome). As baroque architects decorated churches with splendid designs, composers decorated music with melodies and rhythm.
Works Cited
Newsome, Joseph. CD Review: Ave Maria – Gregorian Chant. 24 August 2013. 24 September 2019 < https://www.seraphicfire.org/cd-review-ave-maria-gregorian-chant/>.