Baroque - Key terms Flashcards
Baroque c.1600 – 1750:
Features lots of imitation, ornaments and dynamic contrast. Composers include: Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Handel
Concertino / Concertante:
The group of soloists in Concerto Grosso
Concerto:
A piece for soloist and orchestra, usually in three movements (Fast / Slow / Fast).
Concerto Grosso:
A Baroque concerto for a small group of soloists and orchestra. There are usually three movements; the first is fast, the second is slow, and the last is fast. The first movement contrasts the full orchestra and the soloists, the second movement is quiet, while the last movement is lively.
Continuo:
Harpsichord and cello (sometimes bassoon) playing continuous accompaniment
Figured bass:
Numbers under a bassline providing chords
Harpsichord:
A keyboard instrument where the strings are plucked rather than hammered. Used in the Baroque era.
Imitation:
The repetition of a melody in a different voice. The repeated version can be varied by playing it a different pitch or making some changes to it, but the character of the original melody remains.
Modes:
Scales used in medieval and renaissance and jazz (sometimes pop!)
Organ:
A keyboard instrument that produces sound through a series of pipes.
Ornamentation:
Melodic decoration = trills, mordents and turns etc
Question and Answer:
A musical conversation similar to call & response with one part singing or playing the question, with the other part responding with the answer.
Polyphonic/Contrapuntal:
The weaving together of two or more equally important melodic lines, which all fit together harmonically. This texture sounds ‘busy’.
Ripieno:
Accompaniment in Baroque music
Ritornello Form:
Means ‘little return’. ABACA etc (A = the ritornello and the B and C are episodes.
