Baroque definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the characteristics of the Baroque era

A
  • new forms, genres and instruments
  • instrumental music began to receive the same attention as vocal music
  • first opera
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2
Q

figured bass

A

a type of musical shorthand developed in the baroque era where numbers re placed directly below the bass line to show the harmonic progression, providing the structure for guided improvisation

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3
Q

basso continuo

A

baroque performance practice that provides the harmonic framework, generally involving 2 performers where one plays the notated bass line and the other harmonizes based on the figured bass
usually on harpsichord or organ

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4
Q

monody

A

“one song” a single vocal melody with a simple instrumental accompaniment. Allowed for greater expression of emotion, and clarity of text.

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5
Q

the Affections

A

in baroque music where a single emotion is projected through an entire composition or movement

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6
Q

Binary form

A

two part form- AB

often used in baroque dances and keyboard pieces.

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7
Q

rounded binary

A

two part form A:| |:B+A:|| section A returns within section B

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8
Q

ternary

A

three part form ABA where section B often contrasts in key or material.
often used in baroque arias

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9
Q

terraced dynamics

A

baroque practice of changing dynamics abruptly, creating stark contrast rather than gradual change

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10
Q

Opera

A
  • a new genre invented in Italy around 1600 by a renewed interest in greek drama
  • drama presented through music, bringing together art, music, literature, theatre and dance
  • all or most of text is sung,
  • includes recitative, aria, ensemble, chorus
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11
Q

stile rappresentativo

A

“representational style”
term used by Florentine Camerata to describe the monadic style- recitative-like melody moving freely over a foundation of simple chords
music meant to heighten the emotional power of the text

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12
Q

castrato

A

male soprano or alto voice
subjected to a surgical procedure before puberty to prevent the voice from changing
generally used in heroic roles
ex. Nero in Coronation of Poppea

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13
Q

libretto

A

the text of an opera, oratorio or cantata

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14
Q

aria

A

lyrical song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment. Often highly emotional and virtuosic. expresses the characters emotions

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15
Q

recitative

A

a speech-like, declamatory style of singing used for dialogue and to advance the plot

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16
Q

recitativo secco

A

dry recitative

recitative supported only by continuo

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17
Q

recitativo accompagnato

A

recitative supported by instrumental ensemble/orchestra, allows for greater connection with the text

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18
Q

chorus

A

a group of singers that may be participants in the plot

may be set apart from the staging, serving to comment as a narrator

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19
Q

opera seria

A

serious opera
sung throughout, generally based on historical or mythological subjects
ex. Coronation of poppea

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20
Q

stile concitato

A

agitated style- term used by Montiverdi
using ornamentation and rapid repeated notes for voice and tremolo and pizzicato in instruments to express the “hidden treasures of the soul”
ex. coronation of poppea (chorus, final scene)

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21
Q

sinfonia

A

in baroque denotes the instrumental movement used for transition between scenes in opera
term used by montiverdi
ex. Coronation of poppea

22
Q

ground bass

A

baroque compositional device, consisting of continuous repetition of a short melody over which free variations occur
often provides the basic structure of a baroque aria
ex. coronation of poppea (nero and poppea’s final duet)

23
Q

clavier

A

german word for any keyboard instrument other than the organ

24
Q

clavichord

A

small rectangular keyboard instrument

sound generated by small metal tangents that stike the strings inside

25
Q

harpsichord

A

keyboard instrument where sound is generated by small quills inside theinstrument that pluck strings
often had 2 sets of keys

26
Q

clavecin

A

French word for harpsichord

27
Q

gravicembalo

A

Italian term for harpsichord

28
Q

Concerto definition and

features

A

“collaborate”
multi movement work for soloist/s and orchestra
3 movements: fast-slow-fast
mvmnts 1&3 usually used ritornello form

29
Q

what are the top types of concerto grosso in baroque period?

A
solo concerto (a single soloist)
Concerto grosso (a group of soloists)
30
Q

concertino

A

the small group of solo instruments featured in a concerto grosso

31
Q

ripieno

A

“full” or “complete”
also known as tutti
denotes the full orchestra in baroque concerto

32
Q

ritornello form

A

a structure often used in the 1st and 3rd movements of baroque concerto.
the opening passage (ritornello) is restated throughout the movement

33
Q

Orchestral Suite

features

A

instrumental music intended for listening, as opposed to dancing
dances generally in binary form
used contrasting dances in the same key

34
Q

list the standard dances of an orchestral suite

A

allemande, courante, sarabande and gigue

35
Q

list optional dances for an orchestral suite

A

menuet, gavotte, bourree, aria

36
Q

ordre

A

French term identifying Baroque dance collections

37
Q

Double

A

term used for “variation” (of the theme) in French keyboard music in baroque era

38
Q

ornamentation

A

applied by the performer during repeats or da capo/dal segno.
could take the form of appoggiaturas, trills, mordents, etc.

39
Q

menuet

A

a popular Baroque dance of French origin, elegant and in triple meter

40
Q

Hornpipe

A

lively dance in triple meter of English origin

originally associated with sailors

41
Q

Cantata

A

a multi-movement choral work, sacred or secular

for soloists, chorus, orchestra, consists of recitatives, arias, ensembles and choruses

42
Q

chorale

A

a hymn tune associated with German Protestantism. Intended for congregational singing, harmonized for four voices by composers such as Bach

43
Q

Canon

A

strict type of polyphonic composition in which each voice enters in succession with the same melody, each voice enters at the same pitch

44
Q

Fugue

A

a highly structured imitative contrapuntal composition where a single theme or subject prevails

45
Q

Fugal Texture

A

a contrapuntal composition based on the principle of imitation. A theme (aka subject) pervades the entire work

46
Q

Ritornello

A

a recurring theme that functions as a refrain in Baroque compositions

47
Q

Augmentation

A

a theme is presented in longer time values, often the melody becomes twice as slow as the original

48
Q

Arioso

A

a short vocal passage, more lyrical than a recitative but more modest than an aria

49
Q

oboe de caccia

A

an alto oboe, in the shape of a curved hunting horn but with a pear shaped bear

50
Q

oboe d’amore

A

mezzo soprano oboe, pitched lower than a regular oboe with a pear shaped bell

51
Q

taille

A

tenor oboe with a pear shaped bell