Baroque pop
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Baroque_pop".

This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. Please help recruit one or improve this article yourself. See the talk page for details. Please consider using {{Expert-subject}} to associate this request with a WikiProject

Baroque pop is a style originated in the mid 1960s that while similar to Sunshine pop in subject matter, brought elements of classical music into the writing and recording of rock'n'roll songs. The Left Banke, The Beach Boys, Phil Spector, and Burt Bacharach are cited as some of this subgenre's pioneers^[1].

The use of the word "Baroque" is essentially a coverall term; Baroque music most closely refers to the music of Europe approximately between the years 1600 and 1750, with some of its most prominent composers including Rameau and J.S. Bach^[2]. Much of the instrumentation of what is referred to as Baroque pop is more akin to that of the Classical period, chronologically defined as the period of European music from 1750 to 1830 (after Baroque music and before Romantic music) and stylistically defined by balanced phrases, clarity and beauty, using similar instrumentation to modern orchestras^[3]. Just as "classical" has become a term used to describe all music that cannot otherwise be defined as "popular", it seems that Baroque pop is a stylistic term that does not necessarily reflect the sonic qualities of the genre.

Archetypal and seminal Baroque pop performers

The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds is considered an album important to this category. Much of the later work of Phil Spector, who greatly influenced Brian Wilson's production style, is considered Baroque pop as well. Scott Walker is another important figure in the genre.

Others include^[1]:

Modern baroque pop

Modern Baroque pop, characterized by an infusion of orchestral arrangements or classical style composition generally within an indie or indie pop setting, is also often referred to as chamber pop or chamber rock ^[1]. This style, with clear indie-rock inclinations, uses additional members on in the band to create a fuller-bodied, more orchestral sound. Many artists often highlight songs with unique instruments not found in most modern popular music such as the accordion or harpsichord. The writing style of the genre often has a distinct narrative quality to it and often makes references to history, literature, philosophy, and folklore.

Many Baroque pop artists of the past two decades include artists that are classified under several different genres aside from indie rock, such as alternative, folk, Americana, Brit Pop, psychedelic, and dream pop.^[4] Fans of artists such as Joanna Newsom, Andrew Bird, Rufus Wainwright, and Sufjan Stevens follow these bands specifically as Baroque pop acts as well as following Baroque pop acts from the 60s and 70s and classical music/opera^[5]. Newsom is a strong example of Baroque pop by definition; she is a classically trained harpist^[6] and she plays harp on much of her own recordings.

Some other current Baroque pop artists include:

References

This article about a music genre is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.