Chapter 5

terraced dynamics

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 a. all of these choices. b. sequential repetition. c. monody. d. terraced dynamics. e. driving rhythm.

Ritornello form

a musical form in which all or part of the main theme (the ritornello) is played repeatedly by the tutti, with each statement separated by a virtuosic solo section played by the concertino

calm, symmetrical organization of events

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

Claudio Monteverdi

1567-1643 who can rightly be called "the father of opera."

Basso continuo

A small ensemble of at least two instrumentalists who provide a foundation for the melody or melodies above, heard almost exclusively in Baroque music (continuous bass)

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

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

True

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

the soloist is accompanied by the basso continuo alone

What does the term "simple recitative" indicate? a. all of these choices b. setting of words less than three syllables each c. the soloist is accompanied by the basso continuo alone d. harmony in the accompaniment is limited to tonic, dominant, and subdominant chords e. it avoids fast notes in the vocal line

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

What does the term "terraced dynamics" describe? a. sharp, abrupt dynamic contrasts found in the music of the Baroque era b. a musical process in which all of the lines or parts move in the same direction c. music that exhibits no obvious repetitions or overt formal structure from beginning to end d. music in which some important component comes in a continually repeating series e. a term that describes the gradual increase or decrease in the volume of sound

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

What is a "concertino"? a. a Baroque sonata with four dance movements in alternating tempos: slow, fast, slow, and fast b. the group of instruments that function as soloists in a concerto grosso c. an instrumental ensemble, organized around a core of strings, with added woodwinds and brasses d. an introductory movement usually for orchestra, that precedes an opera, oratorio, or dance suite e. term adopted by composers to enumerate and identify their compositions

Aria

an elaborate lyrical song for solo voice

Concerto

an instrumental genre in which one or more soloists play with and against a larger orchestra

Simple recitative

recitative that is accompanied only by the basso continuo "dry recitative"

Baroque

term used to describe the arts generally during the period 1600-1750 and signifying excess and extravagance

Ground bass

the English term for basso ostinato

Concertino

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

Melodic sequence

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

Libretto

the text of an opera

Ostinato

Italian for "obstinate;" a musical figure, motive, melody, harmony, or rhythm that is repeated again and again

Terraced dynamics

a term used to describe the sharp, abrupt dynamic contrasts found in the music of the Baroque era

Concerto grosso

a three-movement concerto of the Baroque era that pits the sound of a small group of soloists (the concertino) against that of the full orchestra (the tutti)

Tutti

(Italian for "all") the full orchestra or full performing force

Orchestra

in Western classical music, an ensemble of musicians, organized around a core of strings, with added woodwinds and brasses, playing under a leader

Figured bass

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

Chamber music

music for soloists performed in the home or small auditorium

Idiomatic writing

musical composition that exploits the strengths and avoids the weaknesses of particular voices and instruments

Recitative

musically heightened speech, often used in an opera, oratorio, or cantata to report dramatic action and advance the plot; often made up of rapidly repeating notes followed by one or two long notes at the ends of phrases

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

Identify the correct definition for the term "concerto grosso." a. a three-movement composition that pits the sound of a small group of soloists against that of the full orchestra b. numerical shorthand that tells the player which unwritten notes to fill in above the written bass note c. a one-movement composition, free in form, originally for solo keyboard but later for instrumental ensemble as well d. a woodwind instrument that sounds like a hybrid of a clarinet and trumpet e. a collection of instrumental dances, each with its own distinctive rhythm and character

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

Identify the correct definition of "melodic sequence." a. the sharp, abrupt dynamic contrasts found in the music of this era b. a continuous sound on one or more fixed pitches c. a style of melody that exploits the strengths, special abilities, and color of a particular instrument or voice while avoiding its weaknesses d. a style of singing midway between an aria and a recitative e. the repetition of a musical motive at successively higher or lower degrees of the scale

his concertos and trio sonatas were widely admired throughout Europe

Identify the one statement about Henry Purcell that is wrong. a. he is considered one of the best English composers of all time b. his concertos and trio sonatas were widely admired throughout Europe 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 most famous opera, Dido and Aeneas, was composed for amateur performance by a girl's school

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

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 represents the feelings, sound, and sights of the season c. the composer wrote an illustrative poem to accompany the concerto d. the concerto features a violin as the solo instrument e. it is the first composition in a collection of twelve concertos

all of these choices

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

Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

The lament "When I am laid in earth" is a ground bass aria from a. Strozzi's L'amante segreto. b. Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. c. Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse . d. Monteverdi's Orfeo. e. Handel's The Messiah.

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

What is a "figured bass"? a. a motive or phrase in the bass that is repeated again and again b. in musical notation, a mark indicating that the basso continuo should hold a chord for an extended duration c. in musical notation, a numerical shorthand that tells the player which unwritten notes to fill in above the written bass note d. a note in the bass line that is sustained or continually repeated for a period of time while the harmonies change around it e. a bass line that is rich in ornamentation

the text of an opera

What is a "libretto"? a. a singing style in which a vocalist is accompanied only by the basso continuo playing simple chords b. a motive or phrase in the bass that is repeated again and again c. an elaborate lyrical song for solo voice d. a one-movement composition, free in form, originally for solo keyboard but later for instrumental ensemble as well e. the text of an opera

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

What is an "ostinato"? a. the text of an opera b. music for soloists performed in the home or small auditorium c. a musical figure, motive, melody, harmony, or rhythm that is repeated again and again d. recitative that is accompanied only by the basso continuo e. a style of singing and a type of song midway between an aria and a recitative

the full orchestra or full performing force

What is meant by the term "tutti"? a. a style of melody that exploits the strengths, special abilities, and color of a particular instrument or voice while avoiding its weaknesses b. the full orchestra or full performing force c. a term used to describe the abrupt dynamic contrasts in Baroque music d. a style of singing midway between an aria and a recitative e. the repetition of a musical motive at successively higher or lower degrees of the scale

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

What is the definition of basso continuo? a. the largest and lowest-pitched instrument in the string family b. a note in the bass that is sustained or continually repeated for a period of time while the harmony changes around it c. a motive or phrase in the bass that is repeated again and again d. a numerical shorthand that tells the player which unwritten notes to fill in above the written bass note e. a small ensemble of at least two instrumentalists that provides a foundation for the melody above, heard almost exclusively in Baroque music

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

What is the meaning of "idiomatic writing"? a. music for soloists performed in the home or small auditorium b. music that moves at a moderate pace, mostly in equal note values, and often stepwise up or down the scale c. exploiting the strengths, special abilities, and color of a particular instrument or voice while avoiding its weaknesses d. composing for an instrumental ensemble organized around a core of strings, but with added woodwinds and brasses e. all of these choices

the contrast in sound between the tutti and concertino

What is the most distinctive feature of the concerto grosso? a. the alternating pattern of subject statements and episodes b. polyphonic complexity c. consistency of melodic and rhythmic gestures d. the virtuosic ornamentation of dance melodies e. the contrast in sound between the tutti and concertino

around 1600 in Italy

When and where did Baroque music first appear? a. around 1600 in Italy b. around 1710 in London c. around 1685 in central Germany d. around 1475 in Paris e. around 1725 in Austria

"Voglio morire" by Strozzi

Which aria is based on a basso ostinato pattern? a. "Tu se' morta" by Monteverdi b. "He shall feed His flock" by Handel c. "Voglio morire" by Strozzi d. "A l'amara novella" by Purcell e. "Possente spirto" by Monteverdi

solo concerto

Which genre uses ritornello form? a. oratorio b. chamber sonata c. solo concerto d. dance suite e. cantata

flute

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

Louis XIV of France

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? a. Catherine the Great of Russia b. Louis XIV of France c. Emperor Franz II of Austria d. Frederick the Great of Prussia e. King Charles II of England

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

Which statement about Antonio Vivaldi is wrong? a. he was the most influential and prolific composer in the creation of the Baroque concerto b. 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 c. since his father disapproved of music, he quietly practiced the violin in the attic in order to avoid discovery d. although primarily famous for his instrumental music, he also composed and produced nearly fifty operas e. he was an ordained priest as well as a teacher, composer, and virtuoso performer

features elaborate scenery and costumes

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

all of these choices

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

Leonardo's Mona Lisa

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. Bernini's baldachin (canopy over the high altar) in Saint Peter's basilica d. the Palace of Versailles e. Leonardo's Mona Lisa

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

Why is Orfeo important? a. it was the first major opera in the history of Western music b. it was the first work to contrast recitatives and arias c. it was the first composition to feature a lament based on a descending basso ostinato pattern d. it was the first chamber cantata e. it was the first opera ever composed

Solo concerto

a concerto in which an orchestra and a single performer in turn present and develop the musical material in the spirit of harmonious competition

Opera

a dramatic work in which the actors sing some or all of their parts; it usually makes use of elaborate stage sets and costumes; the term literally means "work"

Monody

a general term connoting solo singing accompanied by a basso continuo in the early Baroque period; early Baroque genre in which a few instruments accompanied a solo singer performing a song based on a highly charged, emotional text

Chamber cantata

a genre that emphasized accompanied solo singing, it is usually divided into contrasting sections that alternate between recitative and aria; performed before a select group of listeners in a private residence

Overture

an introductory movement usually for orchestra, that precedes an opera, oratorio, or dance suite

Doctrine of Affections

early-seventeenth-century aesthetic theory that held that different musical moods could and should be used to influence the emotions, or affections, of the listener