And The Glory Of The Lord

Question 1

What is an oratorio?

Answer 1

A large-scale composition for solo singers, choir and orchestra - usually based on a biblical story

Question 2

When was messiah composed?

Answer 2

1741

Question 3

Where was messiah composed?

Answer 3

London

Question 4

Where was messiah originally performed?

Answer 4

Concert halls and theatres

Question 5

What is ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ in messiah?

Answer 5

The first chorus

Question 6

What is the choir made up of?

Answer 6

Sopranos, altos, tenors, basses

Question 7

What is the choir accompanied by?

Answer 7

String and continuo (for cello and harpsichord or organ)

Question 8

What does the organ do in and the glory of the Lord?

Answer 8

Double the vocal lines

Question 9

What is the name given to the orchestral introduction?

Answer 9

Ritornello

Question 10

Describe the structure?

Answer 10

No set structure - based on the four motifs

Question 11

First motif? First sung by who?

Answer 11

And the glory the glory of the Lord

First sung by altos

Question 12

Second motif? First sung by who?

Answer 12

Shall be revealed

First sung by altos

Question 13

What techniques are used in the second motif?

Answer 13

It uses a descending sequence and a melisma on the word revealed

Question 14

Third motif? First sung by who?

Answer 14

And all flesh shall see it together

First sung by altos

Question 15

Fourth motif? First sung by who?

Answer 15

For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it

First sung by tenors and basses

Question 16

Why does the fourth motif sound quite solemn?

Answer 16

Most of it is on the same pitch and it uses longer notes

Question 17

What is the metre of and the glory of the Lord?

Answer 17

3/4

Question 18

What is the tempo of and the glory of the Lord?

Answer 18

Fast - allegro
Until the end where there is a general pause
Then three bars of a slower tempo - adagio

Question 19

What is the meaning of hemiola?

Answer 19

Where the music feels as if it is in 2/4 rather than 3/4

Question 20

What key is the piece in?

Answer 20

A major

Question 21

Which keys does the piece modulate to?

Answer 21

The dominant - e major

The supertonic - B major

Question 22

How does the work end?

Answer 22

Plagal cadence - a major

Question 23

What is the harmony like?

Answer 23

Diatonic

Question 24

What is the texture like?

Answer 24

It alternates between homophonic and contrapuntal

There is a very short monophonic passage

Question 25

What is the effect of repeating phrases of text many times?

Answer 25

Helps to make the words as clear as possible

Question 26

Who wrote this piece?

Answer 26

Handel

Question 27

What style of music is is?

Answer 27

Baroque

Question 28

From which oratorio does and the glory of the Lord come from?

Answer 28

Messiah