Cantata Flashcards
What did Cantata begin as?
A form of chamber music for solo voice supported by continuo (Baroque)
Which church adopted Cantata into its services?
Lutheran Church (Baroque)
What are Chorales?
A hymn tune associated with German Protestantism intended for congregational church singing. However, these tunes also served as the frameworks for Cantatas and could also be harmonized into SATB. (Baroque)
What is a ritornello?
A recurring theme that functions as a refrain in Baroque music (Baroque)
What is a Cantata?
A multi-movement vocal work that can be sacred or secular and includes, arias, recitatives, etc. It is different from opera in that it is not much of a play and is quite a bit shorter (Baroque)
What is an arioso?
A short vocal passage more lyrical than a recitative but not as much as an aria (Baroque)
What is augmentation?
A technique where a theme is presented in longer time values (Baroque)
What is an oboe?
A soprano wind instrument (Baroque)
What is an oboe d’amore?
A mezzo-soprano oboe (Baroque)
What is an oboe da caccia?
An alto oboe (Baroque)
What is a taille?
A tenor oboe (Baroque)
What is fugue?
A highly structured form of counterpoint where a single theme prevails (Baroque)
ALL CHARACTERISTICS OF Cantata No. 80, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
Genre: Cantata
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Date: 1715
Basis: Chorale by Martin Luther (Movements I, II, V, VIII
Librettist: Salomo Franck
Language: German
Translation of Title: A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Structure: 8 movements
Performing forces: SATB, Chorus, continuo, orchestra parts, and oboes (Baroque)
Musical characteristics of Cantata No. 80, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
Movement I: Based on the hymn by Martin Luther and is comprised of an introduction and sections A-G. The introduction begins with imitation as all 4 voices enter independently, bringing the motives. ABC is motives 1, 2 and 3 appearing as subjects and countersubjects, DEF is motives 4, 5 and 6 appearing as subjects and section G is motive 2 as the subject and 1 as the countersubject, resulting in the entire movement being a choral fugue. The meter is common time, and the key is D major. It also includes instrumental accompaniment
Movement 2: The movement starts off with the strings while the Bass enters first with a melisma followed by the soprano and oboe playing an elaborately decorated version of Luther’s Hymn. It is a duet for soprano and bass in d major, the meter is common time, and the tempo is allegro. Meanwhile, the instruments keep playing their parts.
Movement 5: Opens off with instrumental ensemble (violins, oboes, trumpets) playing a version of motive 1 of Luther’s hymn followed by chorus. This chorale for unison chorus is in d major, 68 time, and the tempo is allegro
Movement 8: Homophonic texture with the top voice singing the hymn while everything else supports it with a rich, harmonious sound. The meter is common time and the tempo is moderato. (Baroque)
