Baroque Works Flashcards
Name an Italian Baroque Opera
The Coronation of Poppea by Monteverdi
Coronation of Poppea
- genre
- composer
- date performed
- librettist
- plot summary
Italian opera seria Monteverdi 1642 Busenetto based on an episode in Roman history- Emperor Nero (castrato) plans to depose his wife Ottavia (Mezzo soprano) and marry his mistresss Poppea (soprano). After much plotting and intrigue, the opera culminates with Poppeas corronation
Describe the coronation scene (coronation of Poppea)
including performing forces and two specific musical features
the final scene
opens with a chorus sung by the consuls and tribunes as they crown poppea
2 part imitative stylefeatuers recitative-like passages
stile concitato
coronation of poppea
what follows the chorus ?
a short instrumental sinfonia that allows for the characters to depart from the stage
nero and Poppea remain
describe Nero and Poppeas duet
“Pur ti miro”
instrument introduction sets the tender mood
the form is ABBA
A section- ground bass consisting of a four-note descending line.
imitation between the two voices as they exchange a series of endearments
B section- free bass, more harmonic variety
short motives are exchanged imitatively.
B returns,
A returns
sonata in D major
genre
composer
date
harpsichord sonata
Scarlatti
early 18th century
sonata in D major key time tempo structure texture
d major 3/8 time non presto ma a tempo ballo (courtly dance tempo) rounded Binary predominantly homophonic
Sonata in D major
describe the A section and the musical features
melodic figure that is repeated creatin a symmetrical phrase structure
harmonic structure based on tonic, subdominant and dominant
homophonic texture anticipates classical style
features: running passages, repeated notes, trills and leaps
modulates to A major, ends with codetta
Sonata in D major
describe the B section
opens with the same melodic figure as A section but in A major
suprising dissonances, modulates to D minor
second theme of part a returns in D major
ends with coda
give two examples of idiomatic writing in Sonata in D major
and two technical challenges
idiomatic for harpsichord: running passages, repeated notes
technical challenges: trills, leaps between notes
how does the form of Sonata in D major foreshadow elements of sonata form
The return of one theme from the A section after the b section, like the recapitulation of sonata form
a concerto by bach
Brandenburg concerto no. 2 in F major
Brandenburg concerto no. 2 in F major genre composer date performing forces
concerto grosso
Bach
1721 dedicated to the set
continuo (ripieno) and concertino: violin, oboe, recorder and trumpet
describe the first movement of the Brandenburg concerto no. 2 in f major
- ritornello themes
- mood
- texture
-ritornello theme made up of 4 motives played by the ripieno
the opening ritornello dominates the entire work, serving as a unifying element
motives 1&3 built around outline of tonic triad
motives 2&4 characterized by scale type movement
-mood is cheerful and bright
-concertino soloists take turns presenting the concertino thee between ritornello themes, creating a dialogue effect
sequential imitation is used
name a suite by handel
water music suite in D major