Which term describes the unique technical capabilities of an instrument that are highlighted, often developed in the Baroque period?

The term that describes the unique technical capabilities of an instrument, especially emphasized during the Baroque period, is idiomatic writing. This concept refers to composing music that exploits the strengths and characteristics of specific instruments, allowing composers to create pieces that highlight the unique tonal and technical elements of each instrument.

During the Baroque era, musicians began to focus more on the distinctive qualities of instruments, such as the expressive capabilities of the violin or the intricate possibilities of the harpsichord. This approach led to a rich variety of textures and embellishments in compositions, making the music more engaging and stylistically suited to the instrument for which it was written.

In contrast, serialism refers to a compositional technique involving the use of series for order in music, commonly associated with the 20th century; minimalism, characterized by simplicity and repetition, emerged much later; and counterpoint deals with the relationship between voices or lines in a piece of music, which is an essential aspect but does not specifically focus on the unique technical capabilities of individual instruments.