Chapter 6 - Forms in Polyphonic Style Flashcards
What is polyphony?
Polyphony consists of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).
How can polyphony and homophony be distinguished?
It can be difficult to separate and distinguish homophony and polyphony. There is usually an underlying harmonic basis to polyphonic writing and there is horizontal movement in a primarily harmonic and chordal composition. It is a matter of emphasis.
What is a canon?
A contrapuntal compositional technique that employs a melody with one or more imitations of the melody played after a given duration (e.g., quarter rest, one measure, etc.). The initial melody is called the leader (or dux), while the imitative melody, which is played in a different voice, is called the follower (or comes).
What is counterpoint?
Counterpoint is the relationship between voices that are harmonically interdependent (polyphony), but independent in rhythm and contour.
What is a round?
Round is a musical composition in which two or more voices sing exactly the same melody (and may continue repeating it indefinitely), but with each voice beginning at different times so that different parts of the melody coincide in the different voices, but fit harmoniously together.
What are the characteristics of a crab canon?
The repeated melody is repeated backwards, beginning with the last note and ending with the first.
What are the characteristics of a perpetual canon?
The final cadence is the same as the first measure of the canon, permitting an endless repetition of the music.
What are the characteristics of an enigma canon?
Only the single melody is written out, and the entrance of the other voice or voices is left to the performer.
What is a motet?
A vocal composition in polyphonic style, based on a Biblical or similar prose text, intended for use in a church service.
What is a madrigal?
A secular version of a motet.
What is an invention?
Bach gave the name “invention” to 15 short pieces in two voices and 15 in three voices. The term was used earlier by Bonporti for some partitas. Bach’s inventions are an excellent preparation to study fugue.
What is a fugue?
The fugue (from the word “fuga,” meaning flight) is a contrapuntal composition consisting of a melody, called a subject, that appears alone and is then imitated by all the parts or voices in close succession, with each voice continuing with a counter-subject or “countermelodies.”
What is a double fugue?
A double fugue has two subjects instead of one.
