Baroque Music (1600-1750) It was during the 17th Century that the system of modes finally crumbled away.
By adding accidentals the Major/Minor key system developed. The 17th Century also saw the invention of several new forms and designs, such as: Opera Sonata Oratorio Suite Fugue Concerto The orchestra started to take shape, mainly in the strings, and the violins became the dominant instrument, and most important in orchestras. Composers of the Period. Oratorio. History[edit] 1600, origins of the oratorio[edit] Although medieval plays such as the Ludus Danielis, and Renaissance dialogue motets such as those of the Oltremontani had characteristics of an oratorio, the first oratorio is usually seen as Emilio de Cavalieri's Rappresentatione di Anima, et di Corpo.
Monteverdi composed Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda which can be considered as the first secular oratorio. 1650–1700[edit] Oratorio Chorale will perform works by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. Broadcast Yourself. Bach - Christmas Oratorio (on period instruments)