Classical Music Flashcards
Molto
Very
Andante
Walking speed; moderately slow
Octet
Group of eight musicians, instruments or voices
Concerto Grosso
Multi-movement pieces that bring together a small ensemble of instrumentalists to play in equal roles (rather than a regular concerto whereby a soloist is pitted against an entire orchestra).
Allegro
A movement that’s meant to be played very quickly. The word means “cheerful or gay” in Italian.
Allegro Moderato
Played at moderate speed.
Polyphony
Musical texture of two or more independent melodic voices.
Cavatina
A short operatic aria in simple style without repeated sections.
Hildegard of Bingen OSB
Also known as Saint Hildegard and Sibyl of the Rhine, she was a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary and polymath.
Etude
A short musical composition, typically for one instrument, designed as an exercise to improve the technique or demonstrate the skill of the player.
Oratorio
A large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists.
Agnes Dei
The final movement of the Latin Mass, which means Lamb of God.
Cantata
A piece sun.
Stabat Mater
A Catholic hymn to Mary portraying her suffering during Jesus’ cruficiation.
Polka
A lively dance of Bohemian origin in duple time.
