HIGH BAROQUE

The Baroque period is divided into three major phases: early, middle, and late. ⁣⁣ ⁣ Although they overlap in time, they are conventionally dated from 1580 to 1630, from 1630 to 1680, and from 1680 to 1730. The outstanding composer of the Middle Baroque period is the Englishman Henry Purcell, whose musical career provides a kind of compendium of the successive influences of national styles. ⁣ ⁣ Purcell experienced the waves of French influence that followed the Restoration and King Charles II's return from exile in France. An early manifestation of the French influence was the introduction of "Symphony Anthems" in the Chapel Royal accompanied by a chamber ensemble of string players. Earlier in the century, musical developments in Italy had even slightly influenced the vocal writing in the chapel's music, but the old styles and genres had shown a sturdy resilience in England, particularly in chamber music with the continued development of Renaissance-style contrapuntal fantasias for consorts of viols, and of lute-accompanied solo songs.