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Baroque music, a style that flourished between 1600 and 1750, is characterized by its grandeur, emotional depth, and ornate decoration. Originating in Italy, it quickly spread throughout Europe, influencing music, art, and architecture. Baroque music is known for its complex structures, with an emphasis on contrast and tension between different sections of a piece. It often features elaborate ornamentation, with composers using melismas, trills, and other embellishments to add depth and richness to their melodies. One of the most defining features of Baroque music is its use of counterpoint – the interplay between two or more independent musical lines that are woven together to create a complex and intricate texture. This technique is exemplified in works such as Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and Handel's Messiah. Baroque composers also made extensive use of harmony, with richly textured chords and complex progressions adding depth and emotion to their music. The use of basso continuo – a continuous bass line that provides harmonic support for the rest of the ensemble – was another hallmark of this style. Notable Baroque composers include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, Henry Purcell, and Claudio Monteverdi. Their works continue to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world today, and have had a profound influence on the development of Western music.