Which of the following is a characteristic of Baroque music?

The correct choice highlights a fundamental aspect of Baroque music, which is the use of figured bass. Figured bass, a system where numbers and symbols are written below the bass line to indicate chords and intervals, played a crucial role in the accompaniment and compositional practices of the Baroque period. This technique allowed for greater harmonic freedom and expression, enabling keyboard players and continuo players to interpret the music more flexibly while adhering to the harmonic structure created by the composer.

In contrast, while the other elements listed may be present in various forms of music, they do not distinctly characterize Baroque music as effectively as figured bass does. Homophonic texture, for instance, became more prevalent in later periods, moving towards more melody-dominated structures. Obvious cadence points are a stylistic feature shared across multiple genres and periods, not exclusive to Baroque. Alberti bass, while commonly associated with the Classical period, is less relevant to the Baroque context even though it reflects a similar approach to accompaniment. The prominence of figured bass is therefore a defining characteristic of Baroque music's unique harmonic and textural complexity.