Chapter 5 Music Appreciation Quiz

Which genre uses ritornello form?

solo concerto

What is the definition of basso continuo?

a small ensemble of at least two instrumentalists that provides a foundation for the melody above, heard almost exclusively in Baroque music

Identify the statement that best applies to "aria." a. vocal line generally accompanied by the orchestra b. intended to convey emotion rather than plot description c. an elaborate lyrical song for solo voice d. all of these choices e. characterized by a melismatic and virtuosic vocal line

d. all of these choices

Which statement best applies to "opera"? a. the word literally means "work" b. its origins trace back to late sixteenth-century Italy c. a dramatic work in which the actors sing some or all of their parts d. all of these choices e. usually makes use of elaborate stage sets and costumes

d. all of these choices

Which statement about Antonio Vivaldi is wrong? a. he was the most influential and prolific composer in the creation of the Baroque concerto b. although primarily famous for his instrumental music, he also composed and produced nearly fifty operas c. he was an ordained priest as well as a teacher, composer, and virtuoso performer d. since his father disapproved of music, he quietly practiced the violin in the attic in order to avoid discovery e. because of a relationship with a French soprano, the pope banned performances of Vivaldi's music, an action that result devastated his income and affected his creativity

d. since his father disapproved of music, he quietly practiced the violin in the attic in order to avoid discovery

What does the term "terraced dynamics" describe?

sharp, abrupt dynamic contrasts found in the music of the Baroque era

Which monarch came to epitomize the grandeur and glory of the Baroque era, building a palace so monumental that it was virtually a small, independent city?

Louis XIV of France

Identify the correct definition for the term "concerto grosso."

a three-movement composition that pits the sound of a small group of soloists against that of the full orchestra

The lament "When I am laid in earth" is a ground bass aria from

Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

What is a "figured bass"?

in musical notation, a numerical shorthand that tells the player which unwritten notes to fill in above the written bass note

Why is Orfeo important?

it was the first major opera in the history of Western music

What is meant by the term "tutti"?

the full orchestra or full performing force

What is a "concertino"?

the group of instruments that function as soloists in a concerto grosso

Identify the correct definition of "melodic sequence."

the repetition of a musical motive at successively higher or lower degrees of the scale

What does the term "simple recitative" indicate?

the soloist is accompanied by the basso continuo alone

What is a "libretto"?

the text of an opera

Which aria is based on a basso ostinato pattern?

"Voglio morire" by Strozzi

During the Baroque era musicians used three distinct techniques to heighten musical contrast: clear alternations between major and minor keys, abrupt changes in orchestration, and?

Terraced dynamics

The solo concerto and concerto grosso are virtually identical genres, with the exception that the concerto grosso features multiple soloists while the solo concerto has only one. a. True b. False

True

What is an "ostinato"?

a musical figure, motive, melody, harmony, or rhythm that is repeated again and again

Identify the one statement about Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in E major ("The Spring") that is NOT correct. a. the first movement is in binary form and prominently features the oboes and bassoon in the tutti section b. the concerto features a violin as the solo instrument c. the composer wrote an illustrative poem to accompany the concerto d. the concerto represents the feelings, sound, and sights of the season e. it is the first composition in a collection of twelve concertos

a. the first movement is in binary form and prominently features the oboes and bassoon in the tutti section

When and where did Baroque music first appear?

around 1600 in Italy

Which instrument never plays in the basso continuo group? a. harpsichord b. flute c. cello d. bass e. theorbo

b. Flute

Which characteristic does NOT apply to the art and music of the Baroque period? a. dramatic contrasts of color b. calm, symmetrical organization of events. c. intense expression of emotions d. decorative details and ornaments e. grandiose and expansive

b. calm, symmetrical organization of events

Which work is NOT an expression of the Baroque artistic spirit? a. Gentileschi's Judith Beheading Holofernes b. The Horrors of War by Rubens c. the Palace of Versailles d. Bernini's baldachin (canopy over the high alter) in Saint Peter's basilica e. Leonardo's Mona Lisa

e. Leonardo's Mona Lisa

Which statement about the Italian "chamber cantata" is wrong? a. emphasized accompanied solo singing b. divided into contrasting sections that alternate between recitative and aria c. typically lasts eight to fifteen minutes d. subject was usually unrequited love or the heroes and heroines of ancient history and mythology e. features elaborate scenery and costumes

e. features elaborate scenery and costumes

Identify the one statement about Henry Purcell that is wrong. a. his most famous opera, Dido and Aeneas, was composed for amateur performance by a girl's school b. he is considered one of the best English composers of all time c. hired as a musician at Westminster Abbey at a youthful age, he later worked for the king's Chapel Royal as well d. in addition to composing, he was employed as an organist e. his concertos and trio sonatas were widely admired throughout Europe

e. his concertos and trio sonatas were widely admired throughout Europe

Select the correct definition for "recitative." a. a dramatic work in which the actors sing some or all of their parts b. a musical figure, motive, melody, harmony, or rhythm that is repeated again and again c. an elaborate lyrical song for solo voice d. style of singing in which the singer moves imperceptibly from rapid declamation on a single pitch to wide-ranging vocal flourishes e. musically heightened speech; often used in an opera, oratorio, or cantata to report dramatic action and advance the plot

e. musically heightened speech; often used in an opera, oratorio, or cantata to report dramatic action and advance the plot

What is the meaning of "idiomatic writing"?

exploiting the strengths, special abilities, and color of a particular instrument or voice while avoiding its weaknesses

What is the most distinctive feature of the concerto grosso?

the contrast in sound between the tutti and concertino