What did Baroque musicians typically do regarding their ornamentation?

Baroque musicians typically improvised their ornamentation as it was an essential and expressive element of performance during that period. Musicians were often expected to embellish the written music with their own decorative notes, which allowed for personal expression and creativity in each performance. This improvisational approach to ornamentation gave performers the freedom to interpret and enhance a piece, reflecting their individual style and the nuances of the music's emotional content.

This practice was grounded in the Baroque aesthetic, which emphasized expressiveness and emotional depth. Musicians were trained to understand the conventions of ornamentation, enabling them to add embellishments spontaneously while still maintaining the integrity of the original composition. As a result, each performance could vary significantly, providing a unique experience for both the performer and the audience.