Bach Cantata BWV 78

Question 1

Chorale

Answer 1

a four part German hymn tune written for SATB

Question 2

Who wrote Jesu Der Du Meine Seele?

Answer 2

• Johann Rist

Question 3

Aria

Answer 3

• a song performed with orchestral accompaniment from an opera/oratorio
• vocal line is dramatic and elaborate (melismatic, melodic, metrical)

Question 4

Recitative

Answer 4

• mainly positioned between two arias and the text will be sung just once
• a song sung in the form of speaking from an opera (syllabic, unmetrical, no ellaborate melody)
• 3 types - secco, accompagnato/stromentato, arioso

Question 5

cantata

Answer 5

• a sacred/secular, narrative work written for soloists, chorus and orchestra.
• comprises of several movements (arias, recitatives, duets and choruses)

Question 6

Why was the cantata written?

Answer 6

• for Sunday mass, based on the Gospel of the day

Question 7

When was it composed

Answer 7

1724

Question 8

opera

Answer 8

a dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for orchestra and voices

Question 9

oratorio

Answer 9

• a large scale narrative piece for orchestra and voices on a religious theme
  (a religiously themed opera)

Question 10

Ritornello Form

Answer 10

a recurring orchestral theme in between song sections

Question 11

Polyphonic - give in relation!!!

Answer 11

• Tenor, alto and bass sing the chaconne theme in cannon while the soprano singa a counter melody from movement 7 (the chorale theme)

Question 12

Chaconne

Answer 12

• the ground bass (ostinato) repeated throughout the movement but heard not just in the bass part but also in the upper parts

Question 13

Ground bass

Answer 13

a recurring bassline over which the melody changes and the instruments performing the line are called the continuo

Question 14

De Capo Aria

Answer 14

• where the first section contrasts with the second; the first is then repeated

Question 15

Canon

Answer 15

• strict imitation

Question 16

Continuo

Answer 16

• basso continuo is a single bassline usually played by the c or db
• the organ or harpsichord usually plays the same bassline but harmonizes it with chords (ie. figured bass)

Question 17

Figured bass

Answer 17

refers to the numbers beneath the bassline which represent the intervals above the bassnotes that form the harmonies that the keyboardist will play

Question 18

Episodes

Answer 18

contrasting sections in between each statement of the ritornello theme

Question 19

Obbligato

Answer 19

an essential line in the music usually played by a solo instrument as counter melody to a vocal performance

Question 20

Recitative Secco

Answer 20

• the simple chordal accompaniment is restricted to a continuo (either harpsichord/organ and cello)
• singing in the style of speaking

Question 21

Recitative Accompagnato/Stromentato

Answer 21

• the accompaniment is an elaborate string accompaniment

- declaratory singing mixed with arioso style

Question 22

Recitative Arioso

Answer 22

a more lyrical form of a recitative used to convey the emotion of the text (melisma, metrical, more melodic)

Question 23

Ritornello FORM

Answer 23

a recurring musical idea with contrasting episodes in between (Chorus, aria duet, tenor aria, bass aria)

Question 24

Features of Baroque Music

Answer 24

• ritornello
• sequences
• walking bass
• recycling ideas (chorus and chorale)
• modulating to almost related keys

Question 25

concierto

Answer 25

a piece for instruments which features a tutti section and a soloist section piece alternates between the tutti playing anf the soloist playing

Question 26

cantatta

Answer 26

a medium-length narrative piece of music for voices with instrumental accompaniment, typically with solos, chorus, and orchestra.