classical terms Flashcards
1
Q
classicism
A
- refers to the cultures of Ancient Rome and Greece as well as the art, architecture and music of the late 18th century
- adheres to principles of symmetry, balance and proportion
- emphasis on excellence, enduring value and timeless quality
2
Q
viennese school
A
-refers to the musical style forged by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven and their contemporaries
- in late 18th century Vienna, Austria flourished as a musical center
3
Q
absolute music
A
- instrumental music without extramusical associations
- also known as pure music
- generic titles reflecting tempos, genres, or forms, for example, sonata
4
Q
sonata form
A
- formal structure often used in the first movement of a sonata cycle
- consists of exposition (statement of two or more contrasting themes ) development (departure) and recapitulation (return)
5
Q
exposition
A
the first main section in sonata form
- two contrasting themes are stated
- the first theme is in the tonic key
- the second theme or themes are in a contrasting key, generally in the dominant or relative major
6
Q
development
A
- the second main section in sonata form
- themes from the exposition are manipulated through fragmentation, sequential treatment, or changes to orchestration
- modulations and increased harmonic tension
- new themes may also be introduced
7
Q
recapitulation
A
the third main section in sonata form
- a concluding section reaffirming the tonic key
8
Q
coda
A
- latin for tail
- a conducing section reaffirming the tonic key
9
Q
sonata cycle
A
- multi movement structure that emerged in the classical era
- demonstrated in the symphony, sonata or concerto
10
Q
Chamber music
A
- music for small ensemble (two to ten players)
- one player per part
- usually performed without a conductor
11
Q
String quartet
A
- the most important chamber music genre of the classical era
- performing forces: first violin, second violin, viola, and cello
- usually in four movements: fast, slow, moderately fast, fast
- first movement is usually in sonata form
12
Q
Theme and variations
A
- a work featuring a statement of a melody (theme) followed by a series of transformations (variations)
- changes can be made to melody , harmony, rhythm, or orchestration
- often used in the slow movement of a sonata cycle
13
Q
Serenade
A
- a multi movement orchestral genre
- for small orchestra or chamber ensemble
- popular instrumental genre in the classical era
- often performed in aristochratic social settings and at outdoor events
14
Q
Rocket theme
A
- rapidly ascending melody outlining an arpeggio
- often used as a dramatic opening motive in classical era works
15
Q
Menuet and trio
A
- menuet: a stylized dance of French origin developed in the baroque era
- in triple meter
- graceful, elegant character
- trio: contrasting middle section
- ternary form (aba)
16
Q
Rounded binary form
A
- two part form: a II B+A II, pg 50
- opening material from section a returns after b material
17
Q
Rondo form
A
- classical formal structure often used in sonata cycle
- section a recurs, with alternating sections creating contrast
- section a is heard three times or more in the tonic key
- abaca or abacaba
18
Q
Sonata rondo form
A
- combines elements of sonata form and rondo form
- typical layout: abacaba (aba functions as the exposition, c functions as the development; second aba functions as the recapitulation)
- also known as rondo sonata form
19
Q
Symphony
A
- a multi movement orchestral work originating in the 18 th century
- usually in four movements fast slow moderate fast
- at leas one movement is in sonata form
20
Q
Cyclical structure
A
- material heard in one movement recurs in later movements
- creates structural unity in a multi movement work
21
Q
Motive
A
A short melodic or rhythmic fragment used to build a melody
22
Q
Scherzo and trio
A
- Italian for jest or joke
- Beethoven substituted the scherzo in place of the menuet as the third movement in the sonata cycle
- also in triple meter, but generally more dramatic than the elegant menuet
- could be humorous or ironic
- as with the menuet and trio, it contains a contrasting middle section (trio) resulting in ABA form (scherzo-trio-scherzo)
