Baroque - Music Terms Flashcards
Libretto
The text for an opera
solo concerto
An ensemble composition written for a solo or small group.
Concerto grosso
An ensemble composition written for two groups of unequal size
Recitative
A type of solo vocal performance in which words are sung with a minimum of melodic interest and usually based on speech rhythms, infections, and syntax.
Aria
An extended vocal solo
Opera
A staged dramatic performance
Oratorio
A large scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme, performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action
Cantata
A multi-movement composition for one or more voices
Toccata
A musical composition for a keyboard instrument designed to exhibit the performer’s touch and technique
Fugue
A style of contrapuntal composition
Passacaglia
A baroque instrumental form based on A repeated musical phrase for to eight measures in length.
Suite
An instrumental composition featuring several successive movements.
Sonata
An instrumental composition, usually of three or four movements
Overture
An orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play, oratorio, or other extended composition
Basso continuo
A compositional style in which a bass instrument is joined by a keyboard instrument to provide an accompaniment to the other voices.
