What is meant by the term "tonality" introduced in the Baroque period?

The term "tonality" refers to the organization of music around a central note or key, which became a foundational aspect of Western music during the Baroque period. This system establishes a framework where a specific key serves as the home base, from which melodies and harmonies derive their structure and emotional context. In the Baroque era, composers began to explore the relationships between different keys and the tension and resolution that occurs as music moves between them. This key-centric approach facilitated greater complexity in harmonic progression, leading to richer musical compositions.

Understanding tonality allows performers and composers to create works that convey a wide array of emotions and nuances, as the established key can invoke specific feelings or moods. The concept of tonality not only laid the groundwork for the music of the Baroque period but also influenced later styles of music, reinforcing its importance in the development of Western music theory.