Baroque Music History new Flashcards
Monody
Any work of the 17th cen. Consisting of solo voice supported by basso continuo.
Florentine camerata
Group of artists and noblemen who met in Florence 1573-1587 to discuss recreating the music of Ancient Greece.
Figured bass
Convention of basso continuo in the 17-18th cen. Using numbers (figures) to indicate desired intervals above bass line.
Basso continuo
“The continued bass” bass line of any work from 17-18th cen. That that incorporates the bass itself plus the harmonies above the line. Also describes performers playing this part-
Intermedio (intermedi)
Dramatic work often with music, performed between the acts of a larger theatrical presentation such as a play or opera.
Concerto madrigal
Type of madrigal that emerged in the late 17th cen. Using instruments (basso continuo with or with out other instruments, independent or the vocal part or parts.
Ground bass
Short bass pattern that, repeated over a work, provides the structural for the voice or voices above it.
Ritornello
“A brief return” musical idea that returns at several points in a work, usually after contrasting material. The ritornello principle is the basis composers construct large scale forms around successive returns of an opening idea.
Madrigal comedies
Series of polyphonic loosely connected through plot and characters. Enjoyed its hay day closing decades of the 16th cen.
Arietta
Song or aria of relatively small demension
Air de cour
“Courtly air” genre of secular song in late 16-17th cen France that could be either polyphonic or homophonic (voice and lute)
Castrati
Castrated male singer who’s sings in alto or soprano. Commenin opera of the 17-18th cen.
Cantata
This musical form contains 5 to 8 sections and is based on a religious text. It is intended to be performed within the church service.
Concerto grosso
Baroque concerto typically featuring soloists (the concertino) and a larger ensemble (the ripieno) also encompasses the ripieno concerto, a work for large ensemble with no soloist.
Masque
Theatrical genre of 17th cen. England featuring a mix of declaimed poetry, song, scenery, dance, and instrumental music.
Oratorio
Genre of vocal music similar to opera in its musical elements (recitatives, arias, choruses, ect.) but performed without staging or costumes. Most oratorios revolve around religious subjects, some secular themed.
Passacaglia
Type of bass pattern used throughout the baroque.
Recitative
Style of singing characterized by syllabic declamation, with greater emphasis on projection of the text at hand then the melody, like the inflections of speech even while adhering to basic elements of pitch and rhythm.
Ripieno
Designation used in the baroque era for large ensemble within concerto grosso.
Semi-opera
Type of theatrical entertainment that flourished England second half of 17th cen. Essentially plays with a large proportion of musical numbers, both vocal and instrumental.
Solo concerto
Type of concerto featured a soloist and a larger ensemble, as opposed to ripieno concerto.
Sarabande
The dance is of simple meter, often with a heavy emphasized 2nd beat (although this is less true of the Fr. version) and serves as the emotional centerpiece of the codified Baroque suite, where it follows the Courante and precedes a gavotte, bouree, minuet etc.
Trio sonata
Type of sonata for two instruments of a high range (violins, flutes, oboes, ect) and basso continuo, popular through out the 18th cen.
Toccata
Type of work for keyboard that is freely constructed, based on no preexistent material, and typically featured rapid passage work.
Variation suite
Set of contrasting dance related movements based on one thematic idea.
