Baroque Terms Flashcards
Baroque
Exaggerated or Even
Basso Continue
Accompaniment used in Baroque period
Equal Temperment
Tuning system based upon the division of the octave into 12 equal half steps
Figured Bass
Musical notation indicating intervals (chords and non-chord tones) in relation to a bass note
Homophonic Texture
Single voice takes over melodic interest while accompanying part takes a subordinate role
Polyphonic Texture
Many voiced texture; combining two or more melody lines, distributing melodic interest among all the parts
Terraced Dynamics
Volume levels shift abruptly from soft to loud and back; no gradual crescendos or decrescendos
The Affections
A philosophy which sought to project one clear emotion for the duration of a composition or movement
Word Painting
An expressive device in which the meaning of the words is vividly depicted through music
Drone
A single sustained note against melodic and rhythmic complexities when they unfold
Ostinato
Short musical pattern repeated continuously throughout a work or major section of a composition
Ripieno
All together; Everybody
Ritornello Form
Short recurring instrumental passage found in solo concerto and concerto grosso
Da Capo
From the beginning
Aria
A song usually of high emotional nature
French Overture
Composition used as an introduction to ballets, operas, suites; divided into sections; dotted rhythms; lively fugal theme introduced, then imitated by other voices
Homorythmic Texture
TBD
Libretto
Text of an opera
Melisma
Melodic style characterized by many notes to a single text syllable
Recitativo Accompagnato
Solo accompanied by the orchestra
Recitativo Secco
A dry declamatory style of singing supported by continuo only; a speech like type of singing
Counterpoint
Relationship between voices that are interdependent harmonically and independent with rhythm and contour
Subject
The initial statement of the main theme of a fugue in the tonic key
Real Answer
Exact transposition of the subject
Tonal Answer
One or more intervals of the subject are adjusted to accommodate harmony
Countersubject
A recurring counter-melody accompanying entries of the subject and answer
Episode
Entrances of the subject
Stretto
Theme imitated by voices in close succession
Pedal point
Sustained tone over which harmonies change
Tierce de Picardie
A common mannerism of ending a minor key work in the tonic major (raised third)
