And the Glory of the Lord

Question 1

Distinctive feature of Baroque music

Answer 1

• SUDDEN dynamic changes (terraced and stepped)
• Melody built around motifs- repetition
• Simple harmonies with a narrow range of chords, mainly I or V
• Melody with lots of ornamentation
• Often polyphonic (CONTRAPUNTAL) texture

Question 2

Basso continuo

Answer 2

Continuous bass part throughout the piece that the chords are based around. Usually on an organ, harpsichord, cello, double bass or bassoon.

Question 3

Baroque and Classical melody patterns: Melodic Inversion

Answer 3

Upside down melody line

Question 4

Baroque and Classical melody patterns: Retrograde

Answer 4

Melody played backwards

Question 5

Baroque and Classical melody patterns: Sequencing

Answer 5

Repeated pattern but started on a different note. BARS 18-19 IS A DESCENDING SEQUENCE

Question 6

Baroque and Classical melody patterns: Imitation

Answer 6

Repeated pattern with a slight change ALTO AND TENOR BARS 63-68

Question 7

Messiah Oratorio: Date

Answer 7

1741

Question 8

Messiah Oratorio: Instruments

Answer 8

SATB choir, soloists and a full orchestra. All parts sung by men!

Question 9

Messiah Oratorio

Answer 9

Often melismatic (many notes to one word)
Used word painting- the music matches the words

Question 10

And the Glory of the Lord: Structure

Answer 10

1) And the glory of the Lord
2) Shall be revealed
3) And all flesh shall see it together
4) For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it

Question 11

And the Glory of the Lord: Orchestral part

Answer 11

Instruments often double the vocal parts (Violin to Sopranos, Viola to Altos)

Question 12

And the Glory of the Lord: Tonality

Answer 12

Mostly in A major, though it goes to E major twice and B major once- HAPPY AND JOYFUL

Question 13

And the Glory of the Lord: Texture

Answer 13

Mainly homophonic- parts moving together, though sometimes polyphonic (BARS 91-107)

Question 14

And the Glory of the Lord: Tempo

Answer 14

Allegro- quick and lively

Question 15

And the Glory of the Lord: Metre

Answer 15

In 3/4, though sometimes (BARS 9-10) it feels like 2/4, HEMIOLA

Question 16

And the Glory of the Lord: First Idea

Answer 16

Altos in bars 11-14

Mainly syllabic

Question 17

And the Glory of the Lord: Second Idea

Answer 17

Tenors in bars 17-20

Descending sequence on ‘be revealed’- MELISMATIC

Question 18

And the Glory of the Lord: Third Idea

Answer 18

Altos in bars 43-46

Same bit of melody repeated three times

Question 19

And the Glory of the Lord: Last Idea

Answer 19

Tenors and basses in bars 51-57 (only motif introduced by two parts)
Unison for first five bars, harmony for last two
Long notes- serious and important
Pedal point on A