AOS1 Flashcards
What is a recitative?
A style in which the text is told in the rhythm of natural speech. Used in operas, oratorios and cantatas.
What is an Aria?
A solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment to reflect a mood/emotion. Very elaborate to display vocal expertise of singer
What is a Chorus?
A movement in the Oratorio where the whole choir sings and sums up the action
State 3 differences between Baroque and Classical Music:
- Baroque music heavily features polyphonic and contrapuntal textures whereas Classical Music is mostly homophonic
- Baroque music features terraced dynamics, Classical introduces gradual changes
- Classical music features shorter melodies than Baroque with clear cut phrases and clearly marked cadences
- Harpsichord continuo is not featured in Classical Music and is instead replaced by piano
State two differences between Baroque and Classical orchestras:
• No Harpsichord continuo in the Classical orchestra
• Much more woodwind and brass in the Classical orchestra
• Woodwind became a self contained section of the orchestra
• Lots more percussion in Classical
Who was Handel?
A German Composer who wrote Coronation anthems and oratorios
State two features of instrumentation in Handel’s Coronation Anthems
- Large Choir or Orchestra due to the importance of the occassion
- Strings are prominent in the accompaniment
- Trumpet fanfares and timpani feature in the triumphant sections
- Organ plays basso continuo in some sections
State two features of the texture in Handel’s Coronation anthems:
- Textures can vary from homophonic chordal sections of voices and more polyphonic sections
- Imitation is common in polyphonic sections
State two features of harmony in Handel’s Coronation anthems:
- Mostly Diatonic harmony
- Clear perfect cadences
What is a melisma?
A vocal technique where multiple notes are sung in one syllable
What is imitation?
A musical device where a melody in one part is repeated in another part up or down a tone.
What is meant by Basso Continuo?
A type of accompaniment popular in the Baroque period played by a bass instrument and a harmony instrument, usually harpsichord.
What is an Oratorio?
A large scale composition for solo voices a large choir and orchestra . Sort of like an opera but more religious
Name 3 key features of an Oratorio
- Arias, duets, SATB Chorus
- Lots of melisma
- Word painting
- Arias are highly decorated
- Melodic sequences were common
What is an Aria?
A self-contained piece for solo voice, usually accompanied by an orchestra
Which time does “Baroque” refer to?
1600 - 1750
Name 3 key features of Baroque music:
- Polyphonic and Contrapuntal Textures
- Simple diatonic harmonies
- Terraced dynamics
- Lots of ornamentation
- Complex contrapuntal writing
- Orchestras are mainly strings
- Use of continuo
Name 3 different type of ornaments used in Baroque music
- Trills
- Turns
- Acciaccaturas
- Appoggiaturas
- Mordents
What is meant by terraced dynamics?
Sudden changes in dynamics so no cresc or dim
What is meant by a contrapuntal texture?
Many melodies going at once
Name 3 key features of the Baroque Orchestra:
- Mainly strings
- Harpsichord filled in harmonies
- Continuo held orchestra together
What was the role of the harpsichord player in the Baroque Orchestra?
To direct the orchestra and fill in the harmonies
What time period does “Classical music” refer to?
1750 - 1810
Name 2 characteristics of harmony and tonality in classical music
- Simple harmonies based on primary chords
- Tonality is either major or minor
What is meant by Alberti bass?
1-3-5-3 bass pattern
What are the 3 main forms of classical music
- Sonata form
- Concerto
- Symphony
Name 3 features of the classical orchestra:
- Much bigger orchestra than Baroque
- Harpsichord replaced by piano
- Composers used wind instruments to bind texture
- Woodwind became a self contained section
What is a Sonata and how many movements does it have?
A piece for a solo instrument with piano accompaniment. It has 3 movements; fast, slow, fast
What is a Concerto and how many movements does it have?
A piece for solo instrument with Orchestral accompaniment. It has 3 movements and usually features a cadenza
What is a cadenza?
A short section where the soloist can show off. They are sometimes improvised
What is a Symphony and how many movements does it have?
A piece composed for a full orchestra. It has 4 movements
Name 2 characteristics of rhythm and metre in classical music
- Regular metre
- Balanced even phrase lengths
Name 2 characteristics of texture in classical music
- Mainly melody and accompaniment
- Contrapuntal melodies still feature
Name 2 characteristics of instrumentation in classical music
- Larger percussion section
- Invention of piano and clarinet
- Use of wind instruments to fill harmony
Name 2 new dynamic techniques used in classical music
- Sforzando
- Crescendo
- Diminuendo
- Accents
Name 3 main characteristics of Romantic piano music:
- Dramatic and Emotive
- Programmatic titles
- Used full range of the piano
- Rubato featured
Name 2 features of melody in Romantic piano music
- Complex melodies
- Chromaticism featured
- Used full range of the piano
- Virtuosic
Name 2 features of harmony and tonality in Romantic piano music
- 7ths 9ths and 11ths add dissonance
- Chromaticism
- Modulated to distant keys
Name a feature of texture in Romantic piano music
- Rich dense texture
Name 3 features of Verdi’s Requiem:
- Extreme dynamics (ppp - fff)
- Mostly diatonic harmony
- Written for 4 solo singers, double choir and a large orchestra
- Modulates to distant keys
- Mostly minor to reflect sombre mood
- Varied tempo for dramatic effect
Name 3 features of Faure’s Requiem
- Soprano and Baritone soloists
- Lots of low strings create a sonorous sound
- Unusual phrase lengths to create a sense of unease
- Mostly diatonic with some chromaticism
- Gradual and subtle dynamics
Key features of a Requiem:
- Minor Key to reflect the grave nature
- Often Written for soloists, large choir and orchestra to add drama and tension to the music.
Name 3 General features of Romantic Music:
- Melodies are longer
- Movements and works are longer than Baroque and Romantic
- Modulations to distantly related keys
- Larger orchestras and choirs
- Thicker textures, Melodies often doubled
- Extreme range of dynamics
- Extreme pitch range
- Richer harmonies with chromaticism and added notes
Features of a Romantic Orchestra:
- Valves invented giving brass more flexibility
- More percussion added
- Wide Variety of tempos, dynamics and instrumental ranges
What are the three main sections of sonata form?
- Exposition
- Development
- Recapitulation
