Baroque Era Flashcards
First used as a derogatory term in reference to the overly ornate art of the era
Baroque
Now applied to art, architecture and music of the 17th and early 18th centuries
Baroque
From the Portuguese barroco meaning “irregularly shaped or misshapen pearl”
Baroque
A musical shorthand developed in the Baroque era
Figured bass
In this musical shorthand, numbers are placed below the bass line to show harmonic progression
Figured bass
This is performed or realized by the basso continuo
Figured bass
This provides structure for guided improvisation
Figured bass
Baroque performance practice that generally involves 2 performers - one playing the notated bass line, one realizing the harmonies as indicated by the figured bass
basso continuo
This Baroque performance practice provides harmonic framework. Harmonies are usually played on harpsichord or organ
basso continuo
Also referred to as the “Doctrine of Affections” or “the affects”. In Baroque music, a single “affection” or “affect” (one clear emotion) is usually projected through an entire composition or movement.”
The Affections
A Baroque philosophy inspired by ancient Greek and Roman writers and orators
The Affections
Refers to emotional states of the soul
The Affections
Musical embellishment to decorate a melodic line. Either represented with symbols or improvised.
Ornamentation
A popular instrumental genre of the Baroque era for soloists and orchestra. Generally in three movements: fast - slow - fast
concerto
A genre that frequently employed ritornello form and intended to showcase the virtuosity of the soloist(s)
concerto
A structure employed in the first and third movements of the Baroque concerto
ritornello form
In this structure, the opening passage (ritornello) is restated throughout the movement, serving as a refrain
ritornello form
Italian for “full” or “complete”
ripieno
A term used to denote the use of the full orchestra in the Baroque concerto
ripieno
Italian for “obstinate” or persistent”
Ostinato
A rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated for an extended period
Ostinato
A note, or a series of notes, sustained through harmony changes in other parts
pedal point
Music with a descriptive element, inspired by extramusical associations, like a story or painting
programmatic writing
evolved into a significant feature of 19th century instrumental writing (program music)
programmatic writing
Polyphonic texture
a combination of two or more melodic lines
homophonic texture
a single line of melody supported by a harmonic accompaniment
Highlights the unique technical capabilities of an instrument in the style of writing; opposite of “generic”; developed in the Baroque era
Idiomatic writing
In what time period did the Baroque Era take place?
1600-1750
- A large scale work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra
- Serious subject, generally based on biblical texts
Oratorio
- Consists of recitatives, arias, ensembles, and choruses
- Developed in Baroque era
Oratorio
- A Baroque orchestral genre, often the orchestral introduction to an opera or oratorio
- First developed at the court of Louis XIV by Jean-Baptiste Lully
French overture
- generally in 2 parts
- first part - slow tempo, homophonic texture, features dotted figures
- second part - fast tempo, imitative texture
French Overture
- the text of an opera, oratorio, or cantata
- usually written by someone other than the composer
libretto
- A speech-like style of singing used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas
- follows inflections of the text, resulting in rhythmic flexibility
- usually used to advance the plot or storyline; moves through text quickly
recitative
- supported only by continuo
- Italian for “dry recitative’
- a speech- like, declamatory style of singing
- employed in opera, oratorio, and cantata
recitativo secco
- supported by instrumental ensemble or orchestra
- allows for greater connection with the text
- Italian for “accompanied recitative”
- a speech-like, declamatory style of singing
- employed in opera, oratorio, and cantata
recitativo accompagnato
- Italian for “air”
- A solo song with accompaniment, heard in an opera, oratorio, or cantata
- highly emotional and often virtuosic
- may have lyrical or dramatic qualities; often serves to reveal the characters’ most intimate emotions
Aria
- An aria (solo song) employing a ternary (ABA) structure
- In performance, the return of section A is generally ornamented.
- The most common type of aria in Baroque opera and oratorio
Da capo Aria
- Musical pictorialization
- The music mirrors the literal meaning of the words
- achieved through melody, harmony, or rhythm
word painting
- a group of notes sung on a single syllable/vowel
- demonstrates vocal virtuosity and often serves to highlight key words
melisma
- a method of tuning keyboard instruments
- the octave is divided into 12 equal half steps
- facilitated the composition and performance of music in all keys
equal temperament
Clavier
a german word for keyboard instruments other than the organ
Prelude
- a short keyboard work in improvisatory style
- often paired with a fugue
Fugue
- a highly structured, imitative contrapuntal composition
- a single theme or subject prevails
Counterpoint
- a combination of 2 or more independent melodic lines
- also referred to as “polyphonic texture”
Subject
- the initial statement of the main theme of a fugue
- in the tonic key
answer
- the second statement of the main theme in a fugue
- usually in the dominant key
real answer
- an exact transposition of the subject
tonal answer
- a statement of the subject in which one or more intervals is adjusted to accommodate the harmony
countersubject
- a recurring countermelody
- accompanies entries of the subject and answer
