Which characteristic is typical of Baroque music?

Baroque music is often characterized by the concept of "affect," where a single emotional state or mood dominates an entire piece or movement. This approach allows composers to explore and express a wide range of emotions more deeply than in previous musical styles, which often incorporated multiple contrasting feelings within one work. By focusing on a single affect, Baroque composers could craft music that had a clear emotional direction, enhancing the listener's experience of that mood.

This characteristic sets Baroque music apart and is fundamental to understanding its aesthetic. Consequently, it aligns with the ideals of the time, where the expression of emotion was paramount. The other aspects of Baroque music, such as the use of contrasting affects, homophonic textures, and improvisational elements, may also be relevant to the genre but do not represent the distinctive feature identified in the correct answer.