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]
