Baroque Music Flashcards
What is the time period of Baroque Music?
1600-1750
What was different from Renaissance music?
The mode system was replaced with the minor and major key system. Instrumental music also became equally as important as vocal music.
What are the new forms and designs that appeared?
- Fugue
- Opera
- Oratorio
- Sonata
- Suite
- Concerto
Monody:
A single voice-line, accompanied by an instrumental bass-line, upon which chords are constructed
Describe a recitative, and define the 2 kinds of recitative.
Half singing, half reciting, over simple accompaniment
(found in Opera and Oratorio).
1. Secco
2. Accompagnato/Stromentato
Diatonic hamony:
Using chords which belong to a major or minor key signature.
Describe the term melismatic:
Taking one syllable and using it across several pitches.
Describe the early operas:
Included brief choruses, dances and instrumental pieces.
Opera
A large scale multi-movement that presents a dramatic story through choruses, arias and recitatives.
Aria
A solo song (in Opera and Oratorio)
Chorus
An ensemble song performed by a choir (in Opera and Oratorio).
The Italian Overture
It has 3 sections: quick-slow-quick
The French Overture
It has slow opening, with crisp dotted rhythms.
Lead to a quicker section using imitation
sometimes followed by one or more dances or the same slow opening.
What are oratorios?
At first Oratorios were very similar to Operas, but in time they were only given musical presentation.
What are the differences between Oratorios and operas?
Oratorios are sacred and Operas are not.
Describe a cantata:
A cantata is sung by voices, for a soloist or choir with orchestra and continuo accompaniment. It is like a miniature Oratorio.
What does a Bach cantata include?
A Bach cantata opens with a weighty chorus, continues with recitatives, arias and duets for soloist and ends with a chorale.
Describe a Fugue:
The Fugue is a very contrapuntal piece, which is based on the idea of imitation.
The piece grows from a ‘subject’, which is first heard in only one voice, and then imitated by other instruments at appropriate pitches. Through the piece, the subject goes through different keys. The fugue is separated into sections called episodes.
What is a Suite?
A suite is a group of pieces for 1 or more instruments, usually in Binary form. The pieces are usually in the same key.
Describe a Sonata:
A sonata commonly consists of 4 movements, usually in the same key, but contrasted in speed: Slow-Fast-Slow-Fast
What are the 2 types of sonatas?
- Sonata da Camera (Chamber sonata): like a Suite, includes dances.
- Sonata de Chiesa (Church Sonata): more serious, fast sections written in fugal style.
Describe the Concerto Grosso:
Presents strong ideas of contrast and opposition. There is contrast between 2 groups of instruments:
- A small group of soloists called ‘concertino’
- an orchestra of strings called ‘tutti’ or ‘ripieno’
Describe the Solo Concerto:
Presents a solo instrument in contrast with the string orchestra, so there is greater contrast. There are 3 movements: Fast-Slow-Fast
The Fast movements are in ritornello form.
Name the popular composers from this period from Germany:
- Bach
- Schütz
- Handel
Name the popular composers from this period from Italy:
- Monteverdi
- Corelli
- Vivaldi
Name the popular composers from this period from England:
- Purcell
Name the popular composers from this period from France:
- Lully
- Couperin
Define the main features of Baroque music:
- Terraced Dynamics
- Ornamentation
- Polyphonic and contrapuntal texture
- Basso Continuo
Name some ornamentation techniques:
- Trill
- Mordent
- Appoggiatura
- Acciaccatura
- Turn
Define the main forms, and describe each one:
- Binary form: A-B
- Ternary form: A-B-A
- Ritornello form
- Theme and Variations
- Fugue
- Ground Bass
State the melodic devices used in Baroque music:
- Melodic Inversion
- Retrograde
- Melodic Sequencing
- Imitation
- Ostinato
