Baroque era music is Western European art music from around 1600 to 1750 (the year in which the greatest Baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, died). This period was characterized by music that was highly ornate and decorated, especially with an extensive use of polyphonic and contrapuntal textures.
The Baroque period saw many important advances in music, including new and improved instruments, new techniques (such as counterpoint and basso continuo), the creation of the modern harmonic system of major and minor scales, new musical forms (such as opera, concertos, sonatas and string trios) and progress towards the development of the modern orchestra. In addition to Bach it included several other composers whose works are still popular, particularly Handel, Purcell and Vivaldi.