Baroque

Question 1

Baroque Orchestra

Answer 1

Small orchestra mainly consisting of string instruments (violins, violas, cellos, and a double bass) , with a maximum of 30 players

Other instruments include oboes, a bassoon, timpani, natural trumpets, and harpsichord

Question 2

String Playing Techniques

Answer 2

Arco - using the bow

Pizzicato - plucking the strings

Question 3

Basso Continuo

Answer 3

Type of bassline accompaniment consisting of harpsichord and cello

Question 4

Ground Bass

Answer 4

A bassline which repeats whilst the upper parts change

Question 5

Passacaglia

Answer 5

A set of variations developed over a ground bass

Question 6

Concerto Grosso

Answer 6

Piece of music written for a group of soloists (concertino) and string orchestra (ripieno)

Also consists of basso continuo

The structure of a concerto grosso is ritornello

Question 7

Concertino

Answer 7

The group of soloists in a concerto grosso

Question 8

Ripieno

Answer 8

The string orchestra in a concerto grosso

Question 9

Ritornello

Answer 9

The structure of a concerto grosso

The ripieno (string orchestra) play a recurring theme between different sections played by the concertino (soloists)

Question 10

Trill

Answer 10

A type of ornament where there is rapid and repeated movement between two notes

Question 11

Acciaccatura

Answer 11

A type of ornament which is a crushed note

Question 12

Mordent

Answer 12

A type of ornament where the main note is played, then the note above, then the main note

Often referred to as a ‘twiddle’

Question 13

Aria

Answer 13

An operatic song which is sung in more reflective parts of the story, the orchestra accompaniment is fancy

Question 14

Recitative

Answer 14

Speech-like song in an opera, accompaniment is very simple

Question 15

Chorus

Answer 15

Part of an opera which is a large group of singers in a vocal work

Can be male, female, or an SATB choir

Question 16

Oratorio

Answer 16

A sacred opera which takes inspiration from biblical stories

Also features arias, recitative, and choruses

Question 17

Coloratura

Answer 17

Vocal melody in which a soprano operatic singer sings with lots of ornaments, flourishes, and decorative embellishments

Question 18

Perfect Cadence

Answer 18

Sounds finished, often used at the end of sections of music

V - I

Question 19

Imperfect Cadence

Answer 19

Sounds unfinished

I - V
II - V
IV - V

Question 20

Plagal Cadence

Answer 20

Also sounds finished like a perfect cadence but contains a common note, also known as the ‘amen’ cadence as it is found at the end of hymns

IV - I

Question 21

Interrupted Cadence

Answer 21

Also known as a ‘surprise’ cadence as it finishes on chord VI which is a minor chord

V - VI

Question 22

Tierce de Picardie

Answer 22

When a piece of music in a minor key turns major

? - I

Question 23

Obbligato

Answer 23

The main solo instrument part in a piece of vocal music