"Progressive" moments in baroque/classical vocal music

[Lethevich]

I am looking for examples of unusual passages of dissonance or otherwise atypical sounding music during dramatic moments in the great oratorios and masses of this era. An example is the music during the crucifixion scene in Bach's St. John Passion, which is very strange. Do any lesser composers dare go into such musical areas in similarly themed works, or is it relatively unique?

(This is for somebody who has displayed an interest in this specific section in the Bach work, maybe there are other things that they may be interested in?)

Edit: Another example would be the opening to Haydn's The Creation. Sorry for the question being so odd and specific

[Josquin des Prez]

Well, besides the fact the Baroque was a "progressive" movement in and of itself, particularly in regards to harmonic freedom (the chief element of tonality), i would assume the vocal works of Rameau may contain some of what you are looking for, judging from his reputation. I can't confirm this myself since i'm only familiar with his keyboard works.

[lukeottevanger]

Start here Wait until the brief opening movement is over; then sit back and remember quite how adventurous the baroque could be.

[lukeottevanger]

Sorry, missed the 'vocal' element of the thread.  Still give it a listen, though... 

[Mark G. Simon]

There's some pretty hair-raising chromaticism in the trio of fates in Rameau's Hippolyte et Arcie.

[Lethevich]

Thank you very much for the suggestion JdP, and the narrowing down, Mark.

Luke - that piece is bloody weird...

[scarpia]

Luke - that piece is bloody weird...

I thought that Biber was a musical "joke," not to be taken seriously.
 

[lukeottevanger]

Edit: Another example would be the opening to Haydn's The Creation. Sorry for the question being so odd and specific

Closely analagous to this would be the Chaos which opens Rebel's Les elements...  Another of the freakier extremes of the baroque.

[zamyrabyrd]

I am looking for examples of unusual passages of dissonance or otherwise atypical sounding music during dramatic moments in the great oratorios and masses of this era.

Why would the above be considered "progressive"?
Also the spirit and practice of the Baroque as compared to the Classic were quite different, meaning that in the earlier era 'dramatic contrast' via dissonance would not be the issue.
The "Agnus Dei" from the B minor Mass of Bach is quite chromatic. Then again, much of his music is.

ZB

[scarpia]

You are probably aware of the crucifixion and the choral that follows in the Matthew Passion of Bach. 

[quintett op.57]

I am looking for examples of unusual passages of dissonance or otherwise atypical sounding music during dramatic moments in the great oratorios and masses of this era. An example is the music during the crucifixion scene in Bach's St. John Passion, which is very strange. Do any lesser composers dare go into such musical areas in similarly themed works, or is it relatively unique?

(This is for somebody who has displayed an interest in this specific section in the Bach work, maybe there are other things that they may be interested in?)

Edit: Another example would be the opening to Haydn's The Creation. Sorry for the question being so odd and specific

The Seasons seems much more progressive to me

[Lethevich]

Danke for the responses

Why would the above be considered "progressive"?

I dunno, I didn't know how else to describe the bit the friend was interested in, so used quotes on them, as it wasn't an ideal description.