MUSC 13
Dowland toured to perform his music because
he was not accepted at the English court
Homorhythmic
All layers are in the same (or basically the same) rhythm, and move together, but are sounding different pitches at the same time (as in a church hymn)
What is the best definition of catharsis?
An emotional release
Exposition
2 themes, connected by a bridge, and ending with a closing section
Phrase
A section of melody; Often represents a complete thought, or idea, and ends with a pause
In Baroque terms, what is "affect"?
A specific and targeted emotional response to listening to music
Choose the best definition of melancholy.
A state of contemplative sadness
Melancholy
A state of sadness accompanied by deep thought or serious contemplation.
Digression
Builds on the theme (main idea) in some way
Why would someone living on a Medieval manor have been unlikely to hear a lot of music?
People living outside of the church would have had little opportunity for culture or education
Why was late Medieval sacred music so complicated?
Composers viewed music as an intellectual puzzle, rather than a medium for personal expression
Bridge
Connecting material, to get from one idea to the next
Composer John Dowland was often depressed, which is why it was so easy for to write "inspired melancholy."
False
Why did Bach likely compose his famous Brandenburg Concertos?
For a job application
Development
Freely building on, changing, or combining multiple themes (rare in popular music); Melodies from the exposition are freely varied
How did Bach react to going blind at the end of his life?
He composed anyway
Which statement best describes Bach's life?
He faced many hardships, such as losing loved ones, going blind, and being thrown in jail, but he always bounded back by working hard and being proactive.
What does the Collegium tell us about Bach's musical life?
He wanted an outlet where he could be in charge and could be creative
A musical texture focusing on a single melody, with all other layers functioning as accompaniment:
Homophonic
What is "program music?"
Instrumental music that tells a story, using only musical elements
What was Bach's religion?
Lutheranism
Biphonic
Melody plus drone (long sustained pitch)
What does it mean that music is mimetic?
Music can imitate emotions
Harmony
Pitches sounding simultaneously
Contrast
Presenting a completely new idea
Repetition
Repeating the same idea two or more times
Variation
Repeating the same idea, but with a few changes in musical elements
Recapitulation
Repetition after something else has occurred; Exposition is repeated
How do we know that Hildgard seemed to think that music could express personal meaning or emotions?
She used musical elements to draw attention to specific words in the text
Beat
Steady pulse behind the music
What is the significance of symbolism in art and music of the Medieval period?
Symbols communicated meaning to a mostly illiterate population
Coda
The closing material at the end of a piece of music, of a section, or a song
Rhythm
The flow of music in time, i.e. the specific durations of different sounds in the music
Theme
The musical term for "main idea," the melody that is repeated, varied, or contrasted; Usually the first thing you hear
Enlightenment
The period from (roughly) 1750-1800 in the cultural history of Europe and America
Mimetic qualities
ability to imitate emotional experiences
Meter
beat groupings, which will generally repeat in a recognizable pattern
dynamics
levels of volume specified by the composer
Tempo
speed of the beat, fast, or slow
Musical texture
standardized way of describing the number and types of layers that you hear.