Paraphrase the reading and describe each in your own words.

Each assignment are small assignments. I will provide the photos of the pages. Most of the assignments can go on the same page.
(You may be able to fit one more assignment on page 1)
Page 1
Read George Frideric Handel’s biographical sketch on page 103. The author suggests that Handel may have had a stubborn personality. Find as many examples of his stubbornness as you can in the biographical sketch. Was his stubborn nature helpful in his life or was it a hindrance? Do you consider yourself to be stubborn? Why or why not? Do you think it is good to be stubborn
if it leads to being committed to an idea or goal? Is it okay to step back from a commitment and change course to some degree? In what way did Handel change his commitment to writing music in his later years?
Read Antonio Vivaldi’s biographical sketch on page 127. Though he was an ordained priest, it can be said that he “marched to the beat of a different drummer.” In other words, he was a nonconformist. Give examples of this phenomenon from his biographical sketch. Do you know any musicians today that are nonconformist? Is it possible to be a conformist and a nonconformist at the same time? If so, how? In what ways would you consider yourself a conformist? A nonconformist?
Page 2
Read Johann Sebastian Bach’s biographical sketch on page 131. Bach is now considered as one of the musical giants of all time. Find evidence that the world or life probably did not treat Bach with the appreciation he deserved. With today’s technology, is it possible there is an unknown, fantastic composer writing music only for future generations to discover? What do you suppose would have
happened in Bach’s life if he would have had access to a computer?
1. Read pages 90–91. What are the three general characteristics of the Baroque style? Describe each. (These characteristics can serve as the basic philosophy of the Baroque period on the Comparative Chart.)
2. Read pages 95–96. What are the seven characteristics of Baroque music? Paraphrase the reading and describe each in your own words. Pay close attention to homophony and metrical rhythm since these are easily identifiable aural characteristics for Baroque music.
3. Read page 100. Describe in your own words the term oratorio. Include in your description what is kinds of pieces are included in an oratorio.
Page 3
4. According to page 100 in your text, what is the most famous oratorio, and who is the composer?
5. Read the bottom of pages 100–101. Describe the differences in your own words between an aria and a recitative.
6. Read pages 102–103. Paraphrase the two meanings of chorus.
7. Read the bottom of pages 105–106. Describe in your own words the cantata as used in the time of J. S. Bach.