ABSTRACT

Following the Middle Ages, Europe underwent significant developments during the period known as the Renaissance, spanning from the 14th century to the mid-17th century. During this era, music transcended its predominantly religious character, and society, striving to break free from the dominance and authoritarianism of the church, began to assert its cultural and artistic sovereignty. The Baroque period, situated between the Renaissance and the Classical period, encompasses approximately 150 years, from the first half of the 17th century to the second half of the 18th century. During this time, harmonic techniques advanced, stage arts such as cantatas and operas gained prominence, and the foundations of symphonic orchestras were laid. Developments in music also influenced composers, who began creating works with greater technical challenges for instrumentalists. Consequently, instruments achieved a level of refinement during the Baroque period that surpassed previous centuries. The bassoon, a member of the woodwind family, entered a process of transformation and development from the 1500s onward, influenced by the musical advancements of the time. Initially used merely as part of the basso continuo under the general bass designation, alongside bass instruments such as the viola and cello to reinforce the harmonic foundation, the bassoon later became more independent from other instruments and secured its place within polyphonic music. This study, conducted through a literature review, examines the development and usage of the bassoon in Baroque period music. The study aims to elucidate how the bassoon was employed, the roles it assumed, and its developments during the Baroque period.