AOS1: Baroque choral music, operas, oratorios, coronation anthems of Handel Flashcards
1
Q
High male voice =
A
tenor
2
Q
Middle male voice =
A
baritone
3
Q
Low male voice =
A
bass
4
Q
High female voice =
A
soprano
5
Q
Middle female voice =
A
mezzo-soprano
6
Q
Low female voice =
A
alto
7
Q
Young (child) female/male voice =
A
treble
8
Q
Give 5 features of Baroque choral music.
A
- Masses were pieces in Latin sung in Catholic churches
- Choirs were all male - women banned
- Could be large choirs (100 singers) and orchestra
- Melismatic sung melodies
- Use of word-painting
- Variety of textures (e.g. imitation, polyphony, parallel harmony [homophonic])
9
Q
What are operas? What are the 3 types of song in operas?
A
Secular (non-religious) stories, told by solo singers accompanied by a chorus and orchestra.
3 types of song:
- Arias (solo vocal pieces, backed by orchestra - emotional)
- Recitatives (song for soloist that moves plot along - rhythm of words imitates typical speech)
- Choruses (whole choir sings together)
10
Q
What are oratorios?
A
Religious versions of operas, telling biblical and sacred stories, usually with intrumental accompaniments.
Like operas, they have arias, recitatives and choruses.
Unlike operas, they are rarely acted out with costumes and scenery.
11
Q
- Handel was a German composer who lived in England for most of his adult life. He wrote many operas and oratorios, as well as orchestral pieces.*
- Handel wrote the coronation anthems for King George II. These are performed in Protestant churches, and their lyrics are taken from the Bible.*
Give 5 examples of techniques he used in composing these.
A
- Melismatic sung melodies
- Use of word-painting
- Written for large choirs + massive orchestra
- Accompaniment: mostly strings. Also trumpet fanfares, oboes, bassoons, timpani, organ
- Variety of textures (e.g. imitation, polyphony, parallel harmony [homophonic])
