Print Resources
Schulenberg, D. (2001). Music of the Baroque. New York: Oxford University Press.
This is a succinct introduction to European music from 1600 through 1750 (the Baroque Era). It features biographies of important composers, analysis of the development of musical styles and performance practices, and other valuable information about the period.
Sadie, J. A. (1998). Companion to baroque music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
This collection of essays by respected music historians and scholars places the music of the Baroque era into a social and historical context. It offers a glance beyond the music toward the society in which the music emerged.
Strahle, G. (1995). An early music dictionary: Musical terms from British sources, 1500-1740. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Although this dictionary of musical terms includes ones from the previous era, the majority (if not all) of the terms are relevant to the Baroque era. This dictionary is a good companion for other resources. It will pin point the meanings of terms found in other resources.
Grout, D. J., & Palisca, C. V. (2001). A history of Western music. New York: W.W. Norton.
This overview of Western Music encapsulates both secular and sacred music from Greece and Rome to the 20th century. It is a valuable resource for any study of music. In our case, chapters 9 through 11 will be of use as they focus on the Baroque era. Sections in these chapters deal with types of performance, music written for particular instruments and ensembles, and places that shaped the development of Baroque music.
Anthony, J. R. (1974). French Baroque music from Beaujoyeulx to Rameau. New York: W.W. Norton.
This book is “the definitive study of French music from 1581 to 1733.” It is the most exhaustive survey of French music of the Baroque era. The book is divided into sections based on genres of work, i.e. religious music, instrumental music, vocal chamber music, etc. Another great feature of this work is it’s immense bibliography of over 1,300 works for those interested in further study of the subject.
