Why 1750 Marks the End of the Baroque Period: A Hindsight Perspective

The year 1750 is often cited as the end of the Baroque period, but this is more of a retrospective assessment rather than a definitive marker. In reality, the transition from the Baroque to the Classical period occurred long before this date, driven by a variety of factors including technological advancements, changing musical tastes, and historical events.

Technological Advancements and Musical Innovation

The modern orchestra, as we know it today, essentially spelled the end for the Baroque orchestra. The dominance of the modern string family, comprising violins, violas, and cellos, replaced the once-popular Viol D’ Gamba family. These advancements in instrumentation were not only about sound quality; they were also about the technological progress in music. The modern instruments produced louder, more sustained sounds, with a higher pitch. The transition from A415hz to the current A440hz further defined this shift.

These technological advancements marked a significant dividing line between the Baroque and modern eras. The evolution of instruments and music technology played a crucial role in this transformation, making the Baroque music seem old-fashioned even during its time.

The Hindsight of Historical Periods

Historical periods are not defined by a single event but by a series of events that reflect changes in the zeitgeist. Just like we can't pinpoint the exact moment we learned to read, periods in history were incremental and cumulative. In the case of the Baroque period, historians look back and identify several key events that marked its end.

For instance, the widespread adoption of equal temperament became a significant factor. This tuning system allowed for greater flexibility in modulations and tonality, which was a hallmark of the emerging Classical style. Another pivotal moment was the death of Johann Sebastian Bach, a true master of the Baroque style, whose music was considered outdated even during his lifetime. His eldest son, Carl Philip Emanuel Bach, also shared this view, describing his father's music as “bombastic and confused.”

The End of an Era and the Beginning of the New

The Industrial Revolution, an economic boom, and the dawn of the Classical period further pushed the Baroque style into the past. The industrial advancements not only transformed society but also influenced the way music was composed and performed. The rise of the Industrial Revolution marked the beginning of a new era where commerce and industrial progress took precedence over the grandeur and complexity of Baroque music.

Bach's death in 1750 can be seen as a symbolic end to the Baroque period. His music, which had been highly regarded during his lifetime, was considered old-fashioned. His own children and contemporaries were less impressed by his work, describing it as “banal and fuddy-duddy.” This decline in popularity and the rise of new musical trends, such as the more refined and orchestral style emerging in the Classical period, further solidified the shift away from the Baroque.

Even today, we celebrate Bach's contributions to music, but at the time of his death, his legacy was not yet fully recognized. It was only about 150 years later that his importance was re-evaluated and honored, marking 1750 as the year that the Baroque period officially came to an end. However, this shift was long in coming, with no concrete "eureka" moment to mark the transition.

While 1750 is the year often cited as the end of the Baroque period, it was more a culmination of a gradual and incremental change rather than a sudden and definitive shift. The Baroque period was characterized by its grandeur and complexity, and its end was marked by a more refined and symmetrical approach to music composition, marking the beginning of the Classical era.