Baroque vocabulary Flashcards
What other style developed out of monody?
recitative
[p. 67]
Name 3 genres which contain arias.
- opera
- oratorio
- cantata
[p. 67]
Define ‘figured bass’
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]
Define ‘concerto’ and list its characteristics.
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]
Describe the early usage of the term ‘Baroque’.
first used as a derogatory term in reference to the overly ornate art of the era
[p. 65]
Define agrements
a French term for an ornament or embellishment
used in 17th- and 18th-century keyboard music
[p. 93]
Translate/Define ordre
a French term for “suite”
[p. 93]
Define da capo aria
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 is figured bass performed?
performed or “realized” by the basso continuo
[p. 65]
Translate “aria”
Italian for “air”
[p. 67]
Who inspired the “Doctrine of Affections?”
philosophy inspired by ancient Greek and Roman writers and orators
[p. 65]
Define ‘suite’
a collection of stylized dances and other pieces in the same key
written for a solo instrument or orchestral ensemble
[p. 93]
Ground bass was a compositional device during what era?
Baroque
[p. 67]
Name and describe the three types of oboes used in the Baroque era.
- 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]
Translate and define stile concitato.
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]
Define ‘double’
French term used for an embellished version or variation of a dance or movement
[p. 93]
Define ‘hornpipe’
a lively, triple meter dance of English origin
originally associated with sailors
[p. 93]
In which era did figured bass develop?
Baroque era
[p. 65]
Define ‘opera’ and list its components.
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]
What is the function of the basso continuo?
provides harmonic framework
[p. 65]
What period of history is referred to as the Baroque era?
ca. 1600 - ca. 1750
[p. 64]
Define ‘recitative’ and describe its role in the larger work.
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]
Define rounded binary form, including cadences and key structure.
two-part form: A || B + A, ||
opening material from Section A returns after B material
key structure similar to binary form
[p. 65]
How was ground bass often used?
often it provided the basic structure of a Baroque aria
[p. 67]
The “suite” was cultivated primarily during what era?
Baroque
[p. 93]
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]
Stile rappresentativo camed to be known as ________.
recitative
[p. 67]
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]
Define ‘libretto’
the text of an opera, oratorio, or cantata
[p. 67]
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]
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]
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]
What is the origin of the word ‘canon?’
from Greek word for “law”
[p. 81]
What is a synonym for ripieno?
tutti
[p. 88]
Chorales are used as the basis for…
many genres including the cantata
[p. 81]
Define ‘arioso’
a short vocal passge
more lyrical than a recitative but more modest in scale than an aria
[p. 81]
What is the origin of the term ‘fugue?’
from Latin fugere, meaning “to flee”
[p. 81]
Translate notes inegales
French for “unequal notes”
[p. 93]
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]
Which genre/s typically use ternary form?
often used in Baroque arias
[p. 65]
Define ripieno
a term used to denote the use of the full orchestra in the Baroque concerto
[p. 88]
Translate opera seria
Italian for “serious opera”
[p. 67]
What genres typically employ binary form?
Baroque dances and keyboard pieces
[p. 65]
Translate stile rappresentativo
Italian for “representational style”
[p. 67]
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]
Define ‘monody’
literally “one song”
a single vocal melody with simple instrumental accompaniment
[p. 67]
Translate clavecin
French term for harpsichord
[p. 93]
What are the four standard dances in a suite?
- allemande
- courante
- sarabande
- gigue
[p. 93]
What is a major advantage of the monodic style?
allows for greater expression of emotion and clarity of text
[p. 67]
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]
What are “the affects?”
refers to emotional states of the soul
[p. 65]
What is the origin of the term ripieno?
Italian for “full” or “complete”
[p. 88]
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]
Define ‘terraced dynamics’
changing dynamics abruptly
results in stark contrast rather than gradual change
[p. 65]
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]
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]
What is the origin of the word ‘opera?’
Italian for “work”
[p. 67]
Translate recitativo secco and identify what distinguishes it from other recitative styles.
Italian for “dry recitative”
supported only by continuo
[p. 68]
When did monody develop?
in the late 16th century
[p.67]
Describe opera seria
sung throughout
generally based on historical or mythological subjects
[p. 67]
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]
During what era were terraced dynamics most common?
Baroque era
[p. 65]
Notes inegales is associated with what genre and era?
performance practice associated with French music of the 17th & 18th centuries
[p. 93]
What was the purpose of stile rappresentativo?
the music was meant to heighten the emotional power of the text
[p. 67]
Upon what is a libretto usually based?
often based on a play, novel, or episode in history
[p. 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]
Chorales are sometimes adapted from…
Gregorian chants as well as from other popular sources
[p. 81]
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]
Define concertino
the small group of solo instruments featured in a concerto grosso of the Baroque era
[p. 88]
Define ‘ground bass’
consists of the continuous repetition of a short melody over which free variations occur
[p. 67]
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]
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]
What is the origin of the term ‘Baroque’?
from Portuguese barroco meaning “irregularly shaped or misshapen pearl”
[p. 65]
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]
When and where did opera originate?
in Italy around 1600
[p. 67]
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]
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]
What are two other names for the “Affections?”
“Doctrine of Affections”
“the affects”
[p.65]
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
What are optional additional movements to a suite?
- overture
- prelude
- menuet
- passepied
- bourree
- (and others)
[p. 93]
