3 - Baroque

Question 1

figured bass

Answer 1

musical shorthand
performed by basso continuo
provides structure for guided improvisation

Question 2

basso continuo

Answer 2

usually done by two players

1. plays notated bass line
2. plays harmonies indicated by fig. bass

Question 3

monody

Answer 3

“one song”
single vocal melody with simple accomp.
allowed clarity of text

Question 4

the “Affections”

Answer 4

refers to emotional states of the soul
one clear emotions usually used through an entire baroque piece
reaction against complex polyphony of renaissance

Question 5

terraced dynamics

Answer 5

baroque style of changing dynamics abruptly

Question 6

opera

Answer 6

Italian for “work”
sung drama
combines music with drama and sometimes dance
first ones written by group in Florence trying to recreate ancient Greek drama
invented around 1600

Question 7

stile rappresentativo

Answer 7

representational style
describes monadic style
melody moves freely over simple chords

Question 8

castrato

Answer 8

male soprano or alto(kept that way by surgery)
generally used in heroic roles
prominent in 17th and 18th centuries

Question 9

libretto

Answer 9

text of opera, oratorio or cantata

Question 10

aria

Answer 10

lyrical song for solo voice with orchestra accomp.

Question 11

recitativo secco

Answer 11

“dry recitative”
speech like style of singing
supported only by continuo

Question 12

recitativo accompagnato

Answer 12

speech like singing supported by ensemble or orchestra

Question 13

opera seria

Answer 13

serious opera
sung throughout
usually based on historical or mythological subjects

Question 14

stile concitato

Answer 14

agitated style
expresses “hidden tremor of the soul”
achieved through tremolo and pizzicato and rapid repeated notes

Question 15

ground bass

Answer 15

continuous repetition of a short melody over which free variations occur

Question 16

cantata

Answer 16

multi movement choral work
for solos, chorus and orchestra
secular or sacred
German Lutheran church played major role in its development, adopted into church service in 18th cent.
from Italian" to sing"
Bach wrote over 300!

Question 17

chorale

Answer 17

hymn tune assoc. with German Protestantism
intended for congregational singing
mostly moved by step or narrow leap
SATB voices

Question 18

canon

Answer 18

from Greek word for law
strict polyphonic composition
each voice enters in succession with same melody
if each voice enters on same pitch then it is a round

Question 19

fugal texture

Answer 19

a theme is seen through an entire work

enter in one voice and then another

Question 20

ritornello

Answer 20

recurring theme that functions as a refrain in Baroque pieces

Question 21

concerto grosso

Answer 21

Baroque orchestral work
usually 3 mvmts(fast-slow-fast)
group of solo instruments showcased
comes from latin" to collaborate"
developed in 17th century italy

Question 22

concertino

Answer 22

the small group of solo instruments featured in a concert grosso

Question 23

ripieno

Answer 23

Italian for full or complete

also called “tutti”

Question 24

ritornello form

Answer 24

structure often used in first and third movement of Baroque piece
opening passage restated throughout movement

Question 25

hornpipe

Answer 25

lively dance in triple meter
English origin
originally assoc with sailors

Question 26

menuet

Answer 26

elegant dance in triple meter
French origin
moderate tempo

Question 27

clavier

Answer 27

German word for any keyboard inst. other than the organ

Question 28

clavichord

Answer 28

small rectangular keyboard

sound made by small metal tangents that strike the strings

Question 29

harpsichord

Answer 29

sound generated by small quills that pluck the strings

Italians called it gravicembalo

Question 30

Baroque

Answer 30

1600-1750
major-minor system provided harmonic backbone of Baroque style
led to development of fig bass and importance of basso continuo
instr. music received same attention as vocal for first time

Question 31

orchestral suite

Answer 31

took dance music to new level, grouped pieces together in a formal suite
generally binary form
contrasting dances in same key grouped together
standard groups: allemande, courante, sarabande, gigue

Question 32

keyboard music

Answer 32

Baroque was era that had organ, harpsichord and clavichord emerge as prominent instruments with their own repertoire

Question 33

Le nuove musiche

Answer 33

Publication from 1602
Contains musical examples and prose descriptions of monody
Composers often gave advice on ornamentation etc
Many songs had new expressive style