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Famous Music from the Baroque Period
Part 2 (c. 1600â1750)
Badinerie
by J.S. Bach (1685â1750)
Badinerie is the lively closing movement of Johann Sebastian Bachâs Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067, composed in the late Baroque period. The suite follows the French ouverture tradition, pairing a formal opening with a sequence of dance-inspired movements.
Set at the very end of the suite, Badinerie is defined by its playful and sparkling character. The title comes from the French word meaning âjestingâ or âlighthearted teasing,â a perfect reflection of the musicâs spirit. In the original manuscript, Bach spelled the title âBattinerie.â Though brief, the movement overflows with energy and rhythmic vitality.
Over time, Badinerie has become one of the most celebrated showpieces in the flute repertoire. Its rapid pace and technical demands make it instantly recognizable. Today, it stands as one of Bachâs most joyful and enduring musical creations.
Zadok the Priest
by G.F. Handel (1685â1759)
Zadok the Priest (HWV 258) is one of George Frideric Handelâs most famous works, composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727. Written as one of four coronation anthems, it has been performed at every British coronation since and is traditionally sung at the moment of the monarchâs anointing.
The text is a translation of the traditional antiphon Unxerunt Salomonem, a short chant used in Christian ritual. It is derived from the biblical account of the anointing of King Solomon by the priest Zadok, as described in 1 Kings 1:38â40. These words have been used in English and later British coronations for more than a thousand years, dating back to the coronation of King Edgar at Bath Abbey in 973.
Handelâs setting is renowned for its dramatic orchestral buildup and sudden, powerful choral entrance, creating an unforgettable moment of ceremony and grandeur. In modern times, the music gained renewed global recognition when Tony Britten adapted it in 1992 as the basis for the UEFA Champions League Anthem. Today, Zadok the Priest remains a powerful symbol of royal tradition and one of the most recognizable pieces of ceremonial music in the world.
Sonata in D Minor, K. 32
by D. Scarlatti (1685â1757)
Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti wrote 555 solo keyboard sonatas during his career. Although these works werenât widely known in his lifetime, they are now recognized as a major contribution to music.
In Scarlattiâs time, the sonatas were mostly performed on the harpsichord, but the Spanish royal court, where he worked, also had early versions of the piano (called the fortepiano), invented by Cristofori during Scarlattiâs lifetime.Â
Today, performers can choose to play his sonatas on the harpsichord, fortepiano, or modern piano.
Winter (Four Seasons)
by A. Vivaldi (1678â1741)
Winter is one of the four violin concertos from Antonio Vivaldiâs The Four Seasons. Vivaldi was an Italian composer who lived in the early 1700s and worked in cities like Venice and Mantua. He wrote these concertos around 1718â1723, and they were published in 1725 in Amsterdam.
These pieces are among his most famous works, and they show how Vivaldi could create pictures and stories with music. Winter captures the feeling of cold weather, icy winds, and the quiet comfort of sitting by a fire. Even if youâve never heard classical music before, the piece makes you feel the season in a way thatâs easy to imagine.
Vivaldi was known for his skill with the violin and his ability to bring everyday life and nature into his compositions. The Four Seasons is a perfect example of this, showing both the harshness and the simple joys of each season.