Music Appreciation
transitional passage
A passage designed to connect two sections of a composition.
motive
A terse musical idea. A brief melodic figure that is too short to be called a theme, but often a fragment of a theme.
Bach
Baroque Period, Country - Germany, principle musical instrument played - organ, fugue - an imitative polyphonic composition with two or more voices, or parts, stated and developed into a single melodic fragment called a subject, famous for what type of church music - cantatas
Handel
Baroque Period, Country - Germany, worked in what 3 countries - Germany, Italy, and England., most noted for what oratorio - "The Messiah".
Vivaldi
Baroque Period, Country - Italy, nickname - Red Priest, who did he write for - Ospedale della pieta, what 2 forms made up the bulk of his music -Ritornello Form and ?
D.Scarlatti
Baroque Period, Country - Italy, specialized on what instrument and musical form - Harpsichord, Binary Form.
Mozart
Classical Period, Country - Austria, noted for having what ?-, advertised as what - scientific phenomenon, noted for being a virtuoso on what new keyboard instrument ?
Haydn
Classical Period, Country - Austria, worked for what family - Esterhazy's, influenced which 2 major composers - ?
Modern
Meaning - , Melody - consonance (pretty sounds) vs dissonance (ugly sounds), Major/minor still widely used but now composers explore chromatic scales, whole tone scales, serialism, minimalism, atonality, and chance music., Harmony - Consonance (pretty sounds) vs dissonance (ugly sounds), Major/minor still widely used but now composers explore chromatic scales, whole tone scales, serialism, minimalism, atonality, and chance music. Use of folk melodies, old techniques., Rhythm- highly complex, jarring, constantly changing., Timbre- all instruments in modern form, use of ancient instruments in modern compositions or modern performances of older works, use of computer in sampling, electronic guitar, keyboard, drums, midi-winds., Form- free, focus on single movements, influence of film, tv and video games.
Romantic
Meaning- love and emotion., Melody -Major/minor, chromatic, longer and more complex., Harmony - Major/minor, chromatic for color in sound, more complex modulations, or changing of scales., Rhythm- Complex, meter changes within the work dramatic tempo changes, use of rubato or elastic tempo... fast, slowing, slow, fast, faster, very fast... all within the same song., Timbre- all instruments are in their modern form, Piano is very important, voices are very athletic to sing in "Grand Opera" over an orchestra of 100+ instruments and chorus., Form - Extension use of sonata (4 movement work pg 53), Opera (use of motives to represent characters or ideas, e.g. Wagner and leitmotif or Berioz and idee fixee, Ballet, single movement forms (tone poem, rhapsody, overture, fantasy)
Schoenberg
Modern Period, Country - Austria, developed which compositional technique - twelve-tone system, why dismissed from Berlin - because the Nazis classed music by a Jew as Degenerate Art. adopted country - United States.
Stravinsky
Modern Period, Country - Russian, composed music for what artistic group - Ballet , adopted country - United States
Copland
Modern Period, Country - United States, utilized what type of music in compositions - Jazz, noted composer for what artistic group - Ballet and Film.
opera seria
One finds the early operas based on Greek myths or historical, legendary, or fictional heroes and heroines.
C Schumann
Romantic Period , Country - Germany, noted for which instrument - Piano and why important - considered one of the most distinguished composers and pianists of the Romantic era.
Schubert
Romantic Period, Country - Austria, most perfect creations - unfinished in B minor (#8) and The Great in C Major (#9).
Dvorak
Romantic Period, Country - Czech, New World Symphony-one of the best known of all symphonies, was written during Dvorak's first year in the United States and glorifies the folk spirit of both America and Czechoslovakia.
Berlioz
Romantic Period, Country - France, visual description - "monstrous, antediluvian head of hair that bristled upon his brow like a forest upon a craggy cliff". noted instrument - Guitar, focused on what aspect of music - symphonies, utilized what compositional devise in Symphonie Fantastique - Idee fixe
Debussy
Romantic Period, Country - French, influenced by what artistic movement-impressionism
Brahms
Romantic Period, Country - Germany, describe double life - during the day he studied piano, music theory and composition, and at night he played dance music for prostitutes and sailors in waterfront bars. influenced by which 2 composers - Beethoven and Mozart
R Schumann
Romantic Period, Country - Germany, noted for which instrument- Piano, why didn't his career last - emotional and intellectual disintegration that worsened with years, founded what musical periodical- Music Periodical, plagued by what disease - insanity
Wagner
Romantic Period, Country - Germany, revolutionized which form, leitmotif, nationalism, music favored by what future dictator
Beethoven
Romantic Period, Country - Germany, studied with who -Haydn, noted for which instrument - Piano, wrote a symphony to honor who and then removed the honor and why - ?, suffered from what cruelest fate for a musician - Lose of hearing, importance of symphony #5 - became a symbol of victory in World War II, when someone discovered that the four opening notes corresponded to the letter "V" in Morse Code.
Mendelssohn
Romantic Period, Country - Germany, why didn't he struggle in the same way as fellow composers - he was born into wealth. re-introduced which composer - Bach, wrote music to accompany a new staging of what famous play - "A Midsummer Nights Dream"
Liszt
Romantic Period, Country - Hungary, worked in which city, grew up on what famous estate, noted for what instrument, lived with which woman connected to another composer, daughter married which famous composer
Tchaikovsky
Romantic Period, Country - Russian, personal challenge -, died from what disease - an infection from drinking un-boiled water.
Chopin
Romantic Period, Country- Poland, worked in what city- Paris, nickname- "the poet of piano", loved a woman with what nickname/pen name - George Sand.
Overture
The operatic overture developed during the 17th century in Italy, often under the name of sinfonia. One would find the French Overture which consisted of a slow section with pompous dotted rhythms and rich harmonies followed by a lively, driving contrapuntal section. The work concludes with a short return of the slow section. The Italian Overture simply reverses the order to fast, slow, and the return of the fast section. Instrumental music composed as an introduction to an opera, oratorio, stage play, etc. such overtures are often performed separately in concerts.
Concertino
The term concertino denotes two possibilities: a short concerto, often in one movement, or in Baroque music, the soloist group of the concerto grosso. The Baroque solo concerto differed only in that a solo instrument was used instead of the group of soloists, or concertino.
Ripieno
The term ripieno served as an indication for sections to be played by the full orchestra, as distinguished from those to be played by the soloist(marked concertino). The term properly denotes the "reinforcing section" of the orchestra. Therefore, "senza ripieni" does not mean "without orchestra" but calls for a small number of "front players" to accompany the soloists.
Cantata
a composite form of vocal music found mainly in the Baroque period. The work consists of a number of movements (four to six or more) comprised of arias, recitatives, duets, and choruses. The text may be either religious or secular. The secular cantata was based on love lyrics and was developed shortly after 1600 in Italy.
Concerto
a composition originating in the classical period for orchestra and solo instrument, usually a piano or violin. The form of the concerto is essentially that of the sonata except for the following differences. In the concerto there are usually three movements with the minuet or scherzo being omitted. The first movement is sonata-allegro form, but with two expositions instead of one exposition repeated, the first exposition is for orchestra alone and is in the tonic throughout, while the second exposition is for orchestra plus soloist and modulates to the dominant. The last movement is nearly always in rondo form and includes an extended cadenza. In sonatas, symphonies, string quartets, etc., the last movement is often in sonata-allegro form. The solo park of a concerto is usually written in a highly virtuosic style.
Baroque Concerto Grosso
a concerto employing a small group of soloist (the so-called concertino) against the full orchestra (tutti, ripieno). The concertino may consist of two violins, of violin oboe, of violin and two flutes, or similar combinations, accompanied by the harpsichord and/or a small portion of the orchestra.
coda
a concluding passage or section falling outside the basic structure of a composition. It is added in order to obtain or to heighten the impression of finality.
Baroque Suite
a form of modern music, 1870 and later, but without adherence to standard dance types, uniformity of key, and other details. In the later part of the 19th century, the designation suite was revived for orchestral compositions that are only remotely, if at all, related to the Baroque suite. Some of these are extensions of the symphonic poem - programmatic or characteristic compositions divided into movements.
recitative
a melody composed solely by verbal consideration.
Rhapsody
a term of Greek origin that when properly translated means something like fragmentary song. This form came into existence in the Romantic period and was used in music chiefly as a designation for free fantasies of a somewhat epic, heroic, or national character.
Symphonic or Tone Poem
a type of music in which an extra musical idea (literary, descriptive, etc.) serves as the basis of the orchestral composition. Thus the symphonic poem belongs to the general category of program music, of which it represents the most recent and the most ambitious realization.
Dance Suite
an important instrumental form of Baroque music consisting of a number of standardized dance movements and all in the same key. The four most common dance forms found in the Baroque suite include the Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and the Gigue. Generally each dance is in binary form with the first part ending in the dominate key and the second half returning to the tonic. Other dance were added to or replaced the four common dances. Such replacements might include the Minuet, Bourree, Gavotte, and the Loure.
theme & variations
as a form will be more meaningful if one will consider a theme with variations. This is a very important form, the principle of which is to present a given melody, called the theme and a number of modifications, each of which is a variation.
opera buffa/comique
at the end of 17th century an independent comic opera developed. Comic opera was known by several different names depending on the locale: opera buffa (Italy), opera comique (French), singspiel (Germany), and the ballad opera of England. Ballad opera will be revived in the 20th century as the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan and music theatre of the united states. The opera is make up of several different sections.
descriptive
attempts to describe by musical sounds the object or scene suggested by the title.
Tutti
everyone
leitmotif
in reference to a short theme or musical idea consistently associated with a character, a place or an object, a certain situation, or a recurrent idea of the plot.
Binary
is a basic musical form, consisting of two sections, A and B, both of which are usually repeated. Binary form is diagramed as :A: :B:. Frequently encountered in folk songs, it is the standard form for the single movements in the suites of Bach.
ternary
is a common musical form consisting of three distinct and self-contained sections. The third being a repeat (often Modified) of the first and the second forms a noticeable contrast to the first and third. Ternary form is diagramed as A B A.
Rondo
is a form often used for the final movement of classical sonatas, string quartets, symphonies, and concertos. It was developed by limiting the number of couplets to three, and by using the same material for the first and third couplet, usually called episode. Thus leading to the standard structure diagramed as ABACAB'A. After study of the sonata forms exposition and recapitulation. The rondo's section C corresponds to the sonata forms development section.
Oratorio
is a musical setting that employs the solo voices but tend to emphasize the chorus and orchestra. The work originated in the Baroque period and consists of an extended story of a religious or contemplative nature that was first performed in the oratory of a church. The work is performed in a concert hall or a church, without scenery, costumes, or physical action. The text of an oratorio is, as a rule, expressly written for the purpose of the composition. This distinguishes the oratorio from works of similar character, which are based entirely on scriptural or liturgical texts. The oratorio is distinguished from the sacred cantata (Bach) by the greater extension and more narrative and continuous character of the text.
recapitulation
is basically a restatement of the exposition with a closing theme in the tonic key and a coda. The recapitulation can be shortened or extended with a modification of the key scheme. The coda varies in length and importance. In earlier composition by Haydn and Mozart, it is often hardly more than a short phrase designed to lead to a close of the movement.
Sonata Allegro
is defined in the Harvard Brief Dictionary of Music as a form frequently used for single movements of the sonata (symphony, etc) consisting essentially of three sections called exposition, development, and recapitulation (also statement, fantasia, and restatement), usually followed by a closing section called the coda.
Sonata
is the most important form of instrumental music from the Baroque period to the present. It usually consists of four independent pieces or sections called movements. Each of movement follows certain conventions of character and structure. There are two different types of sonatas: the Baroque sonata from around 1660-1760 , and the classical sonata that became fully established about 1760 by C.P.E. Bach.
Baroque
meaning - Irregular Shaped Pearl, melody - Major/Minor tonality established in this musical time period, harmony - Moves from Polyphonic to Homophonic and is set by the Major/minor tonality system., rhythm - simple rhythmic patterns, meter is constant, music slows way down at the end of each piece signally the piece is coming to an end., timbre- harpsichord very popular string family is established as we know today, woodwinds and brass families are developing and percussion is limited somewhat to the tympani or snare drums., form - Opera and Oratorio come into existence in this time period with Opera seen as secular entertainment and Oratorio is the sacred form, Concerto Grosso is quite popular and Dance Suites based on court dances, Sonata (4 movement) appears at the end of the time period.
Classical
meaning - works of art., melody- Major/minor tonality, use of folk melodies used for inspiration., harmony-Major/minor tonality, begin some chromatic simple modulations, or changes of scale, homophonic texture., rhythm - Simple, constant tempo, simple meters, silence is as important as sound., timbre- Piano invented and replaces harpsichord, many woodwind and brass instruments take their current form, especially the clarinet., form- small forms ternary and sonata-allegro are very important, Opera is a major art form with little time devoted to oratorio, sonata for orchestra (symphony), sonate for solo instrument and orchestral accompaniment (concerto), sonata for chamber instruments e.g. string quartets, and solo sonatas, especially for piano
program music
music inspired by and suggestive of an extra-musical idea. That idea is usually indicated in the title and is sometimes further explained in a preface or additional remarks.
imitative
music tends to imitate sounds produced by either animate or inanimate objects.
absolute music
music that is free from extra musical implications is defined as absolute music. The term generally excludes vocal music, especially that type in which the music is clearly influenced by the text. The suites and fugues of Bach or the sonatas and symphonies of Haydn and Mozart are examples.
indefinite
program music has a definite title, but in the case of interpretation of the music in relation to that title, it is up to the individual listener. This is because the program content of the music itself is indefinite.
narrative
tells a story through the medium of music. The story it tells is the story suggested by the title.
libretto
text of an opera
Art Song/Aria/Ayre/Leid/Chanson
the art song, or single movement vocal form originated in the Renaissance with the English ayre. This form is representative of works of the English composer John Dowland. The work is usually homophonic in texture, strophic, secular love poetry accompanied by the lute. The works were binary or ternary in form. In the classical period Haydn and Mozart devoted more attention to the form. They were characterized by simple folklike melodies. Because of being sung in the German Language they were referred to as Lied. The greatest amount of attention given to this form occurred in the Romantic period. This form was an intimate form typically set for voice and piano, the new accompanying instrument of choice. In the united states today we refer to this body of music as the art song. In France the music is referred to as melodie, or chanson.
modulation
the change of key within a composition. Here is an example of modulating from one key to another. Lets say that you are playing in the tonic key of C Major and you decide to modulate into another key. As indicated in the definition of the sonata form, it was said that the exposition begins in the tonic key, but modulates to the dominant for the second time.
Opera
the drama per musica or opera, is a drama or play with scenery and acting, which is generally sung throughtout to the accompaniment of an orchestra. The first operatic masterpiece was Orfeo written by the Italian Claudio Monteverdi in 1607.
dominant
the fifth degree of the scale, so called because of its "dominating" position in melody as well as in harmony. In the key of C, for example, the dominant is g and the dominate triad built on the fifth degree of the scale.
tonic
the first and main note of a key, or scale - C Major (minor), d in D Major (minor).
Mass
the first composite vocal form was the musical setting of the Roman Catholic liturgy. This liturgy is comprised of five principal texts found in most every celebration of the liturgy. Those texts have their origins in the very earliest celebrations of the Christian communities. Those texts are the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. These five parts make up the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic liturgy. They are referring to as such because they are ordinarily found in each liturgical celebration.
Madrigal
the madrigal is the most highly developed of all secular vocal forms. It was introduced in the Renaissance period. The madrigal flourished in Italy and England. The texts centered mainly on the subject of love. They were either humorous or were a quite serious treatment of unrequited love. Madrigals were commonly written for three or five voices. They were usually through-composed (nonrepetitive) polyphonic settings. Certain "madrigalisms" developed over time. Such conventions might include texture interruptions by rests, "fa-la-la" refrains, and naïve attempts to musically illustrate the text by means of rhythmic and melodic tone painting.
exposition
the main musical ideas are "exposed." This is usually two themes or theme groups (consisting of two or more themes each) connected by transitional or bridge passages. The first theme is in the tonic key and the second is in the dominant key.
development
the thematic material introduced in the exposition. This is done in a great variety of ways, all designed to bring about that special feeling of dynamic growth, tension, and dramatic conflict which is characteristic of the development section. The basic procedure is the motive technique, the working with short motives derived by segmentation from some of the themes of the exposition.
Motet/Hymn/Chorale/Psalm/Anthem
these terms designate single movement vocal forms used as part of religious services for various Christian denominations. The terms were specific to various communities. The motet and hymn were strophic settings of Latin poetic religious texts. The works were typically unaccompanied, or a cappella. The Catholic communities used these. The German Lutheran church utilized the Chorale. These settings often borrowed their tunes from older Latin hymns or from German folk melodies. They were sung in the vernacular, or language of the people. In this instance that language would be German. The melody was typically found in the upper voice and was in simple form, usually binary. The psalm compositions were the setting of choice used by the French Protestants, or Huguenots. The melody was typically found in the upper voice, was generally in a chordal style, was typically sung in French and was usually more rhythmically lively than the German chorale. The anthem is very similar to the motet. The Anglican Church of England introduced the anthem. Two types were introduced. The full anthem utilized the chorus throughout. The verse anthem utilized soloists and chorus with instrumental accompaniment in various combinations.
Passion Music
this particular form is a musical setting of the Passion of Christ as told in the four Gospels of the New Testament. These were frequently used in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran communities. The works are actually oratorios whose texts are restricted to the biblical quotations concerning Christ's trial and crucifixion. The work requires a special soloist who serves as the evangelist or writer of the particular Gospel. He typically performs all narration in recitative style. Other soloists play individual characters found in the Passion narratives. The chorus functions as the turba, or crowd, representing the crowds, soldiers, and priests. This form originated in the Baroque period.
Russian 5
who are they - Balakirev, Cui, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky. what job apart from music did they hold- Musician, Army Engineer, Chemist, Naval Officer, and civil Servant., why are they considered to reflect nationalism - Russian peasant and folk tunes
