Concerto through time

Question 1

What date is classified as the Baroque period?

Answer 1

1600-1750

Question 2

What date is classified as the Classical period?

Answer 2

1750-1820

Question 3

What date is classified as the Romantic period?

Answer 3

1820-1900

Question 4

Where were Baroque Concertos usually played?

Answer 4

Churches, opera houses or chamber rooms

Question 5

What is a Baroque Concerto Grosso?

Answer 5

An instrumental form involving two groups of performers, a CONCERTINO (small group of soloists) and acompannied by an orchestral accompaniment called the RIPIENO.

Question 6

What is a Baroque Solo Concerto?

Answer 6

An instrumental form involving a single solo instrument (VIRTUOSO) being accompanied by an orchestra

Question 7

Baroquo texture?

Answer 7

Mainly POLYPHONIC (complex and interweaving parts) although some HOMOPHONIC sections for contrast

Question 8

Soloist vs Orchestra in Solo Concerto

Answer 8

Soloist always ‘in the spotlight’ but sometimes accompanied orchestra in TUTTI sections. Musical contrast much more important than Concerto grossos

Question 9

What is a cadenza?

Answer 9

The cadenza is a section found in the Classical concerto. It is a brilliant dramatic solo passage where the soloist plays, and the orchestra pauses and remains silent. Usually ends in a trill

Question 10

Dynamics in Baroque

Answer 10

Terraced Dynamics (no crescendos or diminuendos) mainly due to presence of harpsichord - could either play loud or soft but could not play gradually between the two

Question 11

Tonality in Baroque

Answer 11

Diatonic, either clear MAJOR OR MINOR

Question 12

Baroque Composers

Answer 12

Bach, Vivaldi or handel

Question 13

Ornamentation in Baroque Music

Answer 13

Trill (Back and forth and back and forth), Acciaccatura (Tiny note squeezed in before main), Turn (little wiggle)

Question 14

Structure in Baroque Concertos

Answer 14

3 Contrasting movements. Often modulate between each(change key) and commonly fast slow fast

Question 15

Soloists vs Orchestra in Concerto Grosso

Answer 15

Soloist always ‘in the spotlight’ but sometimes accompanied orchestra in TUTTI sections. Musical ideas passed between CONCERTINO and RIPIENO

Question 16

What is Basso Continuoso for and what is it made of?

Answer 16

Drives the music forward and fills out texture, played by harpsichord (or organ) and cello (or bassoon)

Question 17

Ostinato

Answer 17

Repeated Rhythmic/Melodic pattern, often in the bassline

Question 18

Appoggiatura

Answer 18

A note that clashes with a chord, but followed by a note belonging to a chord

Question 19

Size of Baroque Orchestra

Answer 19

Smaller than others, with only around 10-30 players