music 2.2
Borque
1450-1600s
Trio sonata
3 melodic lines: basso continuo and two above written as three parts, but performed by four players
Chords and the Basso Continuo
Chords meshed with the melodic line Bass part served as foundation of the harmony
the fugue
Cornerstone of baroque music Polyphonic composition based on one main theme Vocal or instrumental Subject Main theme Presented initially in imitation Each voice enters after previous voice has completed presenting the subject
opera
Drama sung to orchestral accompaniment Opera can be serious, comic, or both Two primary types of solo songs Other types: duet, trio, quartet, quintet, etc.
unity of mood
Expresses one mood throughout piece
Concerto grosso
For small groups of soloists and orchestra Multi-movement work Usually 3 movements Fast Slow (usually quieter) Fast (sometimes dancelike)
Ritornello
Frequently used in first & last movements of concerto grosso Theme repeatedly presented in fragments Contrast between solo sections and tutti
sonata
Instrumental work Multi-movement piece for one to eight instruments
suite
Instrumental, multi-movement work Written for listening, but based upon dance Movements usually in binary form—AABB Often began with a non-dance overture defering in tempo meter and charterer
texture
Late baroque was mostly polyphonic Extensive use of imitation
the oratorio
Like opera Large-scale work for chorus, soloists, and orchestra Contains arias, recitatives, ensembles Unlike opera No acting, scenery, or costumes Based upon biblical stories Not intended for religious services Commonly performed today in both churches and concert halls
Cantata
Multi-movement church work for chorus, soloists, and orchestra Vernacular religious text Resembled opera in its use of choruses, recitatives, arias, and duets
melody
Opening melody heard again and again Continuous expanding of melodic sequence
rhythm
Rhythmic patterns are repeated throughout Provides compelling drive and energy
libretto
Text in opera is called libretto Music is written by a composer Libretto is written y a librettist
dynamics
Volumes are constant with abrupt changes—terraced dynamics
terraced dynamics
abrupt alternation between loud and soft dynamic levels characteristic of baroque
basso continuo
accompaniment played by keyboard instrument following numbers which specifics the chords—similar to modern jazz & pop "fake book" notation
da capo aria
aria is ABA form after the b seaction da capo is written this means from the beginning and indicates a reputation of the opening A section.
French overture
common opening piece : 2 sections 1st slow, dignifed 2nd faster, often beginning as a fugue
da capo
from the beginning an indication usually meaning that the opening section od a piece is to be repeated after the middle section
chorus
groups of actors playing crowd parts
Chorale
hymn tune with German text
librettist
person who writes libretto
answer
second presentation of the subject in a fugue usually in the dominant
Prelude or overture
short musical compostions that open opera acts purely, orchestral intorductions to late acts are callled perlude
Aria
song for solor voice with orchestral accompaniment, expresses emotion, usually a showcase vehicle for the singer
subject
theme of fugue
ground bass (basso ostinato
variation form in which a musical idea in the bass is repeated over and over while the melodies above it continually change
inversion
variation of a fugue subject in which each interval of the subject is reversed in direction
diminution
variation of a fugue subject in which the original time values of the subject are shortened
augmentation
variation of a fugue subject in which the original times values of the subject are lengthen
retrograde
variation of fugue subject in which the subject is presented by beginning with it last note and proceeding backward to the first
Recitative
vocal line of an opera, oratorio, or cantata that imitates the rythms and pitch fluctuations of speech often serving to lead into an aria. presents plot material
