Baroque music and beyond

Baroque music has several distinctive characteristics. The use of ornaments and trills gives it great expressiveness. Dynamic contrasts between loud and soft passages create dramatic tension. Basso continuo, which provides a flexible harmonic foundation, is a key feature. Polyphony and homophony coexist, and Baroque music played a crucial role in the development of tonality. A variety of instruments, such as the harpsichord, violin, and recorder, are frequently used. These elements, together with major composers such as Bach and Vivaldi, define the refined aesthetic and lasting influence of Baroque music in the history of Western music.