Music 1220 Chapter 6

SATB Choir

*A choir that follows the standard division into sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses*. Much choral music is written for this combination, although some adds extra parts, often designated as second soprano, first bass or baritone, etc.

Countertenor

*A man who sings in a falsetto voice*. This allows him to sing higher pitches that those normally associated with the male voice

cadenza

*A solo passage, often intended to be improvised, usually indicated by a fermata (hold mark) in the score*. Many concerto movements call for this toward the end, although this practice fell into disuse in the later 19th century. Short ones are also called for in many vocal pieces.

Vibrato

*A subtle pulsating quality, caused by very slight pitch change recurring in a rapid pattern, that is said to increase the expressiveness of a tone*; used by most wind instrumentalists as well as string players to enhance their sound. There is some aesthetic debate as to whether it should be employed in the performance of older music, since it has only been a fixture in performance practice for a little over a century.

Mezzo-soprano

*The female vocal range between alto and soprano.* These usually have a darker tone color than straight sopranos, and are used for supporting roles in operas. Most choral altos are actually this

tenor

*The highest male singing voice*. In operas, they usually play the romantic lead. The term is also used for instruments with a comparable range (e.g., cello, tenor trombone).

soprano

*The highest-pitched female voice*. In operas, they usually play the leading female roles. The designation is also used to describe the member(s) of each instrument family with a similar range (e.g., violin, flute).

alto

*The lowest female singing voice.* The term is also used for instruments with a comparable range (e.g., viola).

bass

*The lowest male singing voice.* It is commonly used for authority figures in opera, and sometimes for villains (either of these may also be baritones). The term is also used for instruments with a comparable range (e.g., double bass, bass tuba).

baritone

*The male vocal range falling between tenor and bass*; commonly sing supporting roles in operas, although they occasionally sing the lead. The term is also used for a brass instrument with a corresponding range.

Timbre

-also called "Tone Color" -*The quality of a sound that distinguishes one instrument from another* -An expressive tool for composers that can greatly affect the mood and atmosphere of a piece -Explained by acoustic properties: every note consists of a fundamental tone and several harmonics. Differences between intensity, order and number of harmonics determine it

Gamelan

A general term for various types of Indonesian orchestras. These orchestras consist of mostly percussion instruments, including tuned gongs, xylophones, drums, chimes, etc., and occasionally flutes, stringed instruments, and even vocalists.

Diminuendo

A steady decrease in volume.

Pizzicato

In string instrument technique, this refers to plucking the strings rather than bowing them

flute, soprano and tenor solo, light strings

Instrumentation for Bach's Mass in B minor, Gloria, "Domine Deus, rex coelestis"

alto and tenor solo, harp, orchestra (mix of flute clarinet, cello, upper strings join in later)

Instrumentation for Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette, Récitatif choral

strings; cello and viola; cello and french horn; cello and woodwinds; cellos, violas, one bassoon, and french horn

Instrumentation for Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette, Scéne d'amour, beginning

four part mixed choir, 2 pianos, 2 harps, percussion

Instrumentation for Dallapiccola, Canti di prigionia

group of paired, metallic percussion instrumentals

Instrumentation for Gender wayang, Sukawati

concert band (horns, lower brass, snare)

Instrumentation for Gould, An American Salute

2 violins, viola, cello

Instrumentation for Haydn's String Quartet in B-flat major, op. 64, no. 3, 2nd movement

2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 basset horns, 4 horns, 2 bassoons, double bass (brass)

Instrumentation for Mozart's, Gran Partita, K. 361

full choir and orchestra

Instrumentation for Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms

piano, violin, cello

Instrumentation for Vandevelde's Genesis II for piano trio

soprano, tenor, orchestra

Instrumentation for Verdi's Otello, Act II, Già nella notte densa

Tutti

Italian for "all." A designation used to indicate that all instruments in an orchestra should play (as opposed to only solo instruments). Also a passage in which the full orchestra plays (e.g., the opening of a classical concerto)

Brass

Most prominent in bands rather than orchestras, especially certain instruments such as baritones and cornets. Many of these come in a variety of different ranges, indicated by "alto," "tenor," etc., in front of the name.

Harmonics

Related vibrations above the pitch of the fundamental. Also known as overtones or partial

Percussion

The largest and most diverse of all instrument families

Dynamics

The loudness or softness of music; typically indicated by markings in the score, although they can be added by the performer as well.

Fundamental

The lowest-frequency vibration of a sounding tone, and the predominant part of the sound.

Winds

a great variety of potential timbres. Soprano instruments: oboe, flute, and clarinet. Tenor: clarinet. Bass: Bassoon.

Strings

closest parallel to the human voice. The violin, viola, cello, and bass roughly correspond to the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass ranges. As in much vocal music, the violin and cello are most likely to have the melodies, while the bass and viola enrich the harmony.

Crescendo

gradual increase in volume