What is an identified characteristic of the Baroque period concerning dynamics?

The identified characteristic of the Baroque period concerning dynamics that stands out is terraced dynamics. This approach involved abrupt shifts between loud and soft passages instead of gradual changes. In Baroque music, composers frequently employed dramatic contrasts in volume to enhance the emotional and theatrical elements of their works.

Terraced dynamics were often utilized in the context of forms such as the concerto and the suite, where sections of music would switch from one dynamic level to another without crescendos or decrescendos. This practice reflected the aesthetic preferences of the time, which favored contrast and dramatic effect.

While dynamic contrast is present in Baroque music, it is more characterized by these sudden changes rather than gradual ones. Likewise, though there are instances of dynamic markings in scores from the period, the use of written dynamics was less common than in later styles. The notion of limited dynamics does not accurately reflect the dynamic variety present in many Baroque compositions, even if they might not exhibit the same level of complexity seen in later periods.