Music Appreciation

Concerto Grosso

a small group of soloists pitted against a larger group of players called tutti (all) or ripieno (8-20). Mainly strings and harpsichord.

aria

a song for solo voice with orchestra accompaniment

figured bass

a system of notating the continuo chords in baroque music by means of figures. shorthand with #'s

Recitative

a vocal line that imitates speech. Used for monologue and dialogue

exposition

all voices present when the subject in an orderly fashion. it is over when all the voices have come in. (fugue)

da capo aria

an aria in ABA form in which the singer ornaments and shows off their virtuosity in the last section

program music

an instrumental work associated with a story, event, or idea

organ chorale

an organ composition incorporating a hymn tune.

trill

an ornament consisting of the rapid alteration of two tones

subject entries

appearances of the entire fugue subject after the opening exposition (fugue)

Homophonic Texture of a Madrigal

block chords

Renaissance Period years

(1440-1600)

Baroque Period Years

(1600-1750)

Mass

(Sacred Music) Polyphonic choral composition made up of 5 sections. A total of 20-30 minutes worth of music. (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei)

Motet/Anthem

(Sacred Music) Polyphonic choral work set to a sacred latin text other than the ordinary of the mass.

Leonin and Perotin

2 choir masters at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, among the first notable composers known by name.

Counter Point

2 or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent

number of cantatas bach wrote vs existence today

295 vs 195

Gregorian Chant/Plainsong/Plain Chant

A melody set to a sacred Latin text and sung without accompaniment. Monophonic in texture.

Characteristics of Baroque Rhythm- Melody- dynamics

Continuity opening melody heard again and again terraced

Cantus Firmus

Fixed melody. A chant that is used as the basis of polyphony

Two Giants of Baroque Composers

George Frideric Handel Johann Sebastian Bach

cantata

German religious text newly written from the bible or hymn. Sermon in music. Chorus, vocal soloist, organ and small orchestra. bach's were 25 min

Secular Music

Love song, regular meter, and a defined beat. Composed in France by (Troubadours and Trouvers) Composed in Germany by (Minnesingers and Meistersingers)

2 Forms of Sacred Music

Mass and Motet/Anthem

Organum

Music that consists of Gregorian chant and one or more additional melodic lines. Polyphonic

Movement

a piece that sunds fairly complete and independent but part of a larger composition

Declamation

The way words are set to music, terms of rhythm and accent. Wanted words to be clearly heard.

Oratorio

Work based on stories or events in the Bible. Chorus, vocal soloist, and small orchestra share the stage. longer than a cantata. 2+ hrs more story line

ritornello form

a baroque musical form based on recurrences of a ritornello

dance suite

a collection of miscellaneous dances written for orchestra, chamber groups, solo instruments, or harpsichord. All dances in same key. Differ in tempo, meter, and character. the last is always fast.

solo concerto

a piece for a single soloist and orchestra. fast slow fast.

Madrigal

a piece several solo voices set to a short poem usually about love. Published by the 1,000's.

Baroque 3 main places composers worked

church, court, opera house

Messiah by George Frederic Handel

composed in 24 days divided into 3 parts by text over 50 movements worlds most famous choral piece 2.5 hrs in length

Opera

drama that is sung to orchestral accompaniment. began during baroque.

Imitative Counterpoint of a Madrigal

ideals of moderation and balance

cadenza

improvised or improvisatory solo passage- soloist only,

castrati

male sopranos and altos with a very high range

Word Painiting

musical illustration of a meaning of a word or short verbal phrase

prelude or overture

orchestral composition that opens an opera, orchestra only

Ritornello

orchestral material at the beginning of a solo concerto or concerto grosso that always returns later in the piece

episodes

passages of music separating later subject entries (fugue)

A Capella (madrigal)

performance by voices alone

Fugue

polyphonic composition for a fixed number of instrumental lines or voices (3 or 4) build on a single principal theme.

opera seria

serious opera, plots based on ancient history

french overture

special preparatory piece that comes before the dances

libretto

text for opera

Ornamentation

the addition of fast notes and trills to a melody.

ground bass

the bass instruments play a single short figure many times throughout the piece

Reciting tone

the pitch on which the text is sung Syllabic (one note per syllable) Melismatic (more than one note per syllable)

subject

theme of the fugue

Passion

work based on the events surrounding the crucifixion of christ

librettist

writes the text of the opera