Music ch. 5-6

What is the definition of basso continuo?

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

Identify the correct definition of "subject."

a term for the principal theme in a fugue

Identify the correct definition for the term "concerto grosso."

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

The three movements for chorus from Bach's Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme are based on the text and melody of a sixteenth-century

chorale

What does the term "terraced dynamics" describe?

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

Which genre uses ritornello form?

solo concerto

The lament "When I am laid in earth" is a ground bass aria from

Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

Which Baroque genre opens with a section called the "exposition"?

fugue

Why is Orfeo important? in the history of Western art music?

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

Select the correct definition for "recitative."

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

What is meant by the term "tutti"?

the full orchestra or full performing force

What is a "concertino"?

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

Identify the correct definition of "melodic sequence."

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

What does the term "simple recitative" indicate?

the soloist is accompanied by the basso continuo alone

What is a "libretto"?

the text of an opera

What is an "ostinato"?

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

Which aria is based on a basso ostinato pattern?

"Voglio morire" by Strozzi

Identify the INCORRECT statement regarding Handel's oratorios. a. Performances were staged with costumes and scenery. b. They were basically operas with a religious subject. c. They appealed to a large number of religious groups. d. They use the operatic forms of recitative and aria. e. The chorus serves a dual function, sometimes serving as narrator, other times providing moralizing commentary.

A

Identify the true statement about Messiah. a. composed in the space of three and a half weeks b. initial performance was for a chorus of 500 voices c. the composition did not become popular until fifty years after Handel's death d. first performed in London, England as part of a charity benefit e. when sung in theaters, the drama was staged with scenery and costumes

A

"Opera seria" is best defined as a(n) a. opera on a light, often domestic subject, with tuneful melodies, comic situations, and a happy ending. b. stage work making use of a serious historical or mythological subject, usually in three acts. c. composition in two parts, with an obligatory return to and repeat of the first, resulting in ternary (ABA) form. d. large-scale sacred composition involving an overture, arias, recitatives, and choruses, but sung without scenery or costumes. e. small ensemble of at least two instrumentalists that provides a foundation for the melody or melodies above.

B

The "oratorio" is a. an art form that involves music, poetry, drama, and scenic design. b. a large-scale genre of sacred music involving an overture, arias, recitatives, and choruses, but performed, whether in a theater or a church, without costumes or scenery. c. the most important religious music of the German Lutheran church, incorporating singing for spiritual reflection and as accompaniment to sacred acts. d. a composition for choir or larger chorus setting a religious, devotional, or solemn text; often sung a capella. e. the text of an opera.

B

Which characteristic does NOT apply to the art and music of the Baroque period? A. grandiose and expansive B. calm, symmetrical organization of events C. intense expression of emotions D. decorative details and ornaments E. dramatic contrasts of color

B

Which response best describes the meaning of the term "episode"? a. the opening section of a fugue, in which each voice has the opportunity to present the subject b. a passage of free, non-imitative counterpoint found in a fugue c. a refrain that alternates with contrasting material d. an instrumental work for a small ensemble, originally intended as a light entertainment for an evening gathering e. all of these choices

B

Identify the correct definition of "exposition" in the context of a fugue. a. the part of the fugue in which modulating passages of free counterpoint alternate with further appearances of the subject b. the opening section, in which each voice in turn has the opportunity to present the subject c. the contrapuntal portion of a fugue in which the subject is absent d. a showy passage for the soloist appearing near the end of the fugue e. an introductory, improvisatory-like passage that gives the performer a chance to warm up and sets the stage for the more substantive section that follows

B.

Identify the one statement about Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in E Major ("The Spring") that is NOT correct. A. the concerto features a violin as the solo instrument B. it is the first composition in a collection of four concertos entitled The Four Seasons C. the first movement is in binary form and prominently features the oboes and bassoon in the tutti section D. the concerto represents the feelings, sound, and sights of the season E. the composer wrote an illustrative poem to accompany the concerto

C

Identify the statement that does NOT apply to the late Baroque church cantata. a. performed by vocal soloists, chorus, and a small accompanying orchestra b. became the musical core of the Sunday service of the Lutheran church c. since it was a liturgical drama, the singers wore elaborate costumes, but the scenery was minimal due to its church setting d. a multi-movement sacred work including arias and recitatives e. typically provided a commentary on the Gospel text, allowing the congregation to meditate on the word of the Lord

C

The term "pedal point" describes a. a passage incorporating rapid runs, arpeggios, and snippets of previously heard themes into a fantasy-like improvisation. b. a bass line that moves at a moderate pace, mostly in equal note values, and often stepwise up or down the scale. c. a note, usually in the bass, sustained or continually repeated for a period of time while the harmonies change around it. d. a passage of free, non-imitative counterpoint found in a fugue. e. a showy passage for the soloist appearing near the end of the movement in a concerto.

C

Which activity was NOT a part of Bach's duties as Cantor of Saint Thomas Church? a. to teach Latin grammar to the choir boys b. to provide new music for each Sunday and religious holiday c. to write concertos for weekly concerts by the school's orchestra, highlighting the skills of his most talented pupils d. to compose music for ceremonies at the university e. to play the organ for all funerals

C

Identify the term that does NOT apply to the fugue. A. exposition B. subject C. figured bass D. episode E. pedal point

C.

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

D

Which answer applies to Handel's posthumous reputation? a. considered the most influential composer in the development of the concerto grosso b. considered the greatest composer of contrapuntal music in the history of Western music c. the first composer to write in a "modern" harmonic style d. considered by many to be the finest composer of choral music who ever lived e. all of these choices

D

Which instrument never plays in the basso continuo group? A. bass B. harpsichord C. cello D. flute

D.

Identify the ERRONEUS statement about Handel's oratorio Messiah. a. "He shall feed his flock" is an example of a pastoral aria. b. Divided into three parts, it tells the story of the life of Christ in a general way. c. The "Hallelujah" Chorus concludes the second part of the oratorio. d. The libretto is drawn directly from the Old and New Testaments. e. The nineteen choruses are exclusively simple, homophonic settings of chorales.

E

Identify the answer that best applies to "fugue." a. it can be played by one or more instruments or sung by voices b. passages of free counterpoint alternate with appearances of the subject c. it begins with a presentation of a subject in imitation in each part d. a polyphonic composition for two, three, four, or five parts e. all of these choices

E

Identify the one statement about Henry Purcell that is wrong. A. hired as a musician at Westminster Abbey at a youthful age, he later worked for the king's Chapel Royal as well B. he is considered one of the best English composers of all time C. in addition to composing, he was employed as an organist D. his most famous opera, Dido and Aeneas, was composed for amateur performance by a girl's school E. his concertos and trio sonatas were widely admired throughout Europe

E

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

E

Which statement about Antonio Vivaldi is wrong? A. because of a relationship with a French soprano, the pope banned performances of Vivaldi's music, an action that resulted in devastating his income and affected his creativity B. although primarily famous for his instrumental music, he also composed and produced nearly fifty operas C. he was the most influential and prolific composer in the creation of the Baroque concerto D. he was an ordained priest as well as a teacher, composer, and virtuoso performer E. since his father disapproved of music, he quietly practiced the violin in the attic in order to avoid discovery

E

Which statement about the Italian "chamber cantata" is wrong? A. typically lasts eight to twelve minutes B. divided into contrasting sections that alternate between aria and recitative C. subject was usually unrequited love or the heroes and heroines of ancient history and mythology D. emphasized accompanied solo singing E. features elaborate scenery and costumes

E

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

E.

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.

True

When and where did Baroque music first appear?

around 1600, in northern Italy

Which composition is an example of the late Baroque church cantata?

e. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme by Bach

What is the meaning of "idiomatic writing"?

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

What is a chorale?

the German word for the hymn of the Lutheran Church; hence a simple religious melody to be sung by the congregation

What is the most distinctive feature of the concerto grosso?

the contrast in sound between the tutti and concertino