AOS 2 - Purcell Flashcards
What is incidental music?
Music used in a film or play as a background to create or enhance a particular atmosphere.
What is an Aria?
A piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompaniment, normally part of a larger work.
Which instruments are used within the piece?
Harpsichord, bass viol, soprano voice.
Can you define basso continuo?
Parts that play the bassline and chords.
Is the melody mainly conjunct or disjunct, and what does that mean?
Conjunct moves in steps.
Can you name the 5 ornaments used in the melody?
Trill, appoggiatura, grace notes, upper and lower mordents.
What is word painting?
When the music reflects the literal meaning of a word.
Can you provide an example of word painting?
Pains, eased, drop, wondering, eternal, free the dead.
There are two ways to describe the structure of this piece, one is ground bass, what is the other?
Ternary Form (da capo aria)
Can you define ground bass?
A repeating bass line.
Which keys are used within the piece?
A minor, E minor, G major, C major, A major.
An interesting cadence is used in bar 23, what is it and can you explain it?
Tierce de Picardie. A cadence in a minor key that uses a major tonic chord instead of minor (perfect or plagal)
What is the main texture seen throughout the piece?
Melody dominated homophony.
The harpsichord part is a realisation, what does this mean?
It wasn’t fully notated and has been enriched by the performer.
The harmony is functional, what does this mean?
Uses chords within the key, with the purpose of creating cadences.
