Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

RCM Level 10 History > Baroque vocabulary > Flashcards

Baroque vocabulary Flashcards

1
Q

What other style developed out of monody?

A

recitative

[p. 67]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Name 3 genres which contain arias.

A
  • opera
  • oratorio
  • cantata

[p. 67]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define ‘figured bass’

A

musical shorthand developed in the Baroque era

numbers are placed below the bass line to show harmonic progression

provides the structure for guided improvisation

[p. 65]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define ‘concerto’ and list its characteristics.

A

a multi-movement orchestral work, based on the principle of contrast

usually in three movements: fast-slow-fast

displaying the virtuosity of the soloist/s is a prominent feature in the solo concerto

[p. 88]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the early usage of the term ‘Baroque’.

A

first used as a derogatory term in reference to the overly ornate art of the era

[p. 65]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define agrements

A

a French term for an ornament or embellishment

used in 17th- and 18th-century keyboard music

[p. 93]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Translate/Define ordre

A

a French term for “suite”

[p. 93]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define da capo aria

A

an aria (solo song) employing a ternary (ABA) structure

the most common type of aria in Baroque opera and oratorio

in performance, the return of Section A is generally ornamented

[p. 67]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How is figured bass performed?

A

performed or “realized” by the basso continuo

[p. 65]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Translate “aria”

A

Italian for “air”

[p. 67]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Who inspired the “Doctrine of Affections?”

A

philosophy inspired by ancient Greek and Roman writers and orators

[p. 65]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define ‘suite’

A

a collection of stylized dances and other pieces in the same key

written for a solo instrument or orchestral ensemble

[p. 93]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Ground bass was a compositional device during what era?

A

Baroque

[p. 67]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name and describe the three types of oboes used in the Baroque era.

A
  • oboe da caccia* - alto oboe; built in the shape of a curved hunting horn but with a pear-shaped bell that gave the sound an outdoor quality
  • oboe d’amore* - a mezzo-soprano oboe; pitched lower than a regular oboe, with a pear-shaped bell
  • taille* - a tenor oboe, with a pear-shaped bell

[p. 81]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Translate and define stile concitato.

A

Italian “agitated style”

technique developed by Monteverdi to express the “hidden tremors of the soul”

use of tremolo and pizzicato in instrumental writing, and rapid repeated notes in vocal writing

[p. 68]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define ‘double’

A

French term used for an embellished version or variation of a dance or movement

[p. 93]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define ‘hornpipe’

A

a lively, triple meter dance of English origin

originally associated with sailors

[p. 93]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

In which era did figured bass develop?

A

Baroque era

[p. 65]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define ‘opera’ and list its components.

A

drama that is sung

combines vocal and instrumental music with drama, visual arts, and often dance [singing; staging & acting; costumes & scenery]

components include recitative, arias, ensembles, and choruses

[p. 67]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the function of the basso continuo?

A

provides harmonic framework

[p. 65]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What period of history is referred to as the Baroque era?

A

ca. 1600 - ca. 1750

[p. 64]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Define ‘recitative’ and describe its role in the larger work.

A

a speech-like, declamatory style of singing used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas

follows inflections of the text, resulting in rhythmic flexibility

usually used for dialogue and to advanced the plot

replaced by spoken dialogue in some styles of opera

[p. 68]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Define rounded binary form, including cadences and key structure.

A

two-part form: A || B + A, ||

opening material from Section A returns after B material

key structure similar to binary form

[p. 65]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How was ground bass often used?

A

often it provided the basic structure of a Baroque aria

[p. 67]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
The "suite" was cultivated primarily during what era?
Baroque ## Footnote [p. 93]
26
Define *ritornello* form
the opening passage (*ritornello*) is restated throughout the movement, serving as a refrain often employed in the 1st and 3rd movements of the Baroque concerto [p. 88]
27
*Stile rappresentativo* camed to be known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
recitative ## Footnote [p. 67]
28
When were *castrato* singers prominent and what roles did they usually sing?
prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries generally used for heroic roles [p. 67]
29
Define 'libretto'
the text of an opera, oratorio, or cantata ## Footnote [p. 67]
30
Define 'ritornello'
a recurring theme that functions as a refrain in Baroque compositions can serve as introduction and postlude in arias or choruses, or as a unifying thread in concertos [p. 81]
31
What is *basso continuo*?
Baroque performance practice usually involves two performers - one playing the notated bass line, one realizing the harmonies as indicated by the figured bass harmonies usually played on harpsichord or organ [p. 65]
32
Is the libretto typically written by the composer? When not written by the composer, what is the person who writes the libretto called?
no the librettist [p. 67]
33
What is the origin of the word 'canon?'
from Greek word for "law" ## Footnote [p. 81]
34
What is a synonym for *ripieno*?
*tutti* ## Footnote [p. 88]
35
Chorales are used as the basis for...
many genres including the cantata ## Footnote [p. 81]
36
Define 'arioso'
a short vocal passge more lyrical than a recitative but more modest in scale than an aria [p. 81]
37
What is the origin of the term 'fugue?'
from Latin *fugere*, meaning "to flee" ## Footnote [p. 81]
38
Translate *notes inegales*
French for "unequal notes" ## Footnote [p. 93]
39
During what era were the "Affections" important and in what way/s?
Baroque era philosophy a single "affection" or "affect" (one clear emotion) is usually projected through an entire composition or movement [p. 65]
40
Which genre/s typically use ternary form?
often used in Baroque arias ## Footnote [p. 65]
41
Define *ripieno*
a term used to denote the use of the full orchestra in the Baroque concerto ## Footnote [p. 88]
42
Translate *opera seria*
Italian for "serious opera" ## Footnote [p. 67]
43
What genres typically employ binary form?
Baroque dances and keyboard pieces ## Footnote [p. 65]
44
Translate *stile rappresentativo*
Italian for "representational style" ## Footnote [p. 67]
45
Define 'cantata' and list its components.
multi-movement choral work sacred or secular for solists, chorus, and orchestra consists of recitatives, arias, ensembles, and choruses [p. 67]
46
Define 'monody'
literally "one song" a single vocal melody with simple instrumental accompaniment [p. 67]
47
48
Translate *clavecin*
French term for harpsichord ## Footnote [p. 93]
49
What are the four standard dances in a suite?
* allemande * courante * sarabande * gigue [p. 93]
50
What is a major advantage of the monodic style?
allows for greater expression of emotion and clarity of text ## Footnote [p. 67]
51
Define *stile rappresentativo*
term used by the Florentine *Camerata* musicians to describe the monodic style a recitative-like melody moving freely over a foundation of simple chords [p. 67]
52
What are "the affects?"
refers to emotional states of the soul ## Footnote [p. 65]
53
What is the origin of the term *ripieno*?
Italian for "full" or "complete" ## Footnote [p. 88]
54
Define 'augmentation'
a compositional procedure in which a theme is presented in longer time values (often the melody becomes twice as slow - or half as fast - as the original) (often used in fugal writing) [p. 81]
55
Define 'terraced dynamics'
changing dynamics abruptly results in stark contrast rather than gradual change [p. 65]
56
Define 'fugue'
a highly structured imitative countrapuntal composition a single theme or subject prevails generally begins with successive entries of the subject in each voice [p. 81]
57
Describe the performance of a 'double.'
performed as an alternative to the original during repeats or *da capo/dal segno* sections may be embellished using standard ornaments (*appoggiaturas*, trills, mordents) or with melodic variations in improvisatory style, expanding on the original material [p. 93]
58
What is the origin of the word 'opera?'
Italian for "work" ## Footnote [p. 67]
59
Translate *recitativo secco* and identify what distinguishes it from other recitative styles.
Italian for "dry recitative" supported only by *continuo* [p. 68]
60
When did monody develop?
in the late 16th century ## Footnote [p.67]
61
Describe *opera seria*
sung throughout generally based on historical or mythological subjects [p. 67]
62
Define binary form, including cadences and key structure.
two-part form: A || B || both parts often repeat Section A generally ends with an open cadence in the dominant or relative major key [p. 65]
63
During what era were terraced dynamics most common?
Baroque era ## Footnote [p. 65]
64
*Notes inegales* is associated with what genre and era?
performance practice associated with French music of the 17th & 18th centuries ## Footnote [p. 93]
65
What was the purpose of *stile rappresentativo*?
the music was meant to heighten the emotional power of the text ## Footnote [p. 67]
66
Upon what is a libretto usually based?
often based on a play, novel, or episode in history ## Footnote [p. 67]
67
Define 'aria' and list its characteristics.
a solo song with accompaniment heard in an opera, oratorio, and cantata highly emotional and often virtuosic may have lyrical or dramatic qualities often serves to reveal the character's feelings and emotions [p. 67]
68
Chorales are sometimes adapted from...
Gregorian chants as well as from other popular sources ## Footnote [p. 81]
69
Define 'chorale'
a hymn tune, associated with German Protestantism intended for congregational singing; moves mostly by step or narrow leap harmonized for four voices (SATB) by composers including J.S. Bach [p. 81]
70
Define *concertino*
the small group of solo instruments featured in a *concerto grosso* of the Baroque era ## Footnote [p. 88]
71
Define 'ground bass'
consists of the continuous repetition of a short melody over which free variations occur ## Footnote [p. 67]
72
Define 'chorus' and describe its role in the larger work.
a vocal ensemble, large or small, often consisting of several voice types adds musical variety to the operatic works of many composers singers may be participants in the plot (group or crowd scenes) or may be set apart from the staging, servig to comment or reflect on the action much like a narrator [p. 68]
73
Define 'canon'
a strict type of polyphonic composition in which each voice enters in succession with the same melody canons in which each voice enters on the same pitch are referred to as rounds [p. 81]
74
What is the origin of the term 'Baroque'?
from Portuguese *barroco* meaning "irregularly shaped or misshapen pearl" ## Footnote [p. 65]
75
Define the practice of playing *notes inegales*.
notes with time values that are written with equal values are performed with unequal values, most often lengthening the first note and shortening the second similar to the practice of swinging eighth notes in jazz style [p. 93]
76
When and where did opera originate?
in Italy around 1600 ## Footnote [p. 67]
77
Define 'concerto grosso'
a Baroque orchestral work usually in three movements: fast-slow-fast a group of solo instruments call the *concertino* is showcased [p. 88]
78
Define ternary form, including cadences and key structure
three-part form: A || B || A || Section A generally ends with a closed cadence in the tonic key Section B generally creates contrast in key and/or material [p. 65]
79
What are two other names for the "Affections?"
"Doctrine of Affections" "the affects" [p.65]
80
Define *castrato* and how they came to be.
a male soprano or alto voice *castrato* singers were subjected to a surgical procedure before reaching puberty that prevented the voice from changing
81
What are optional additional movements to a suite?
* overture * prelude * menuet * passepied * bourree * (and others) [p. 93]

RCM Level 10 History (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions