Concerto Through Time Flashcards
Which period involved the harpsichord?
The Baroque period
Baroque music is atonal. True or false?
False - Baroque music is tonal (Western composers used major and minor keys to write this, replacing modal music)
What group of instruments was dominant during the Baroque period?
String instruments
What period was it that ran from 1750’s - 1820’s?
Classical
When was the Baroque period?
1600’s - 1750’s
Which period went from 1820’s - 1900’s
Romantic
Give the correct order for these periods, 1st to most recent:
Romantic
Baroque
Classical
Baroque
Classical
Romantic
Name some famous composers from the Baroque period
Bach
Vivaldi
Handel
Which woodwind instruments were commonly used in the Baroque period?
Flute, recorder, oboe and bassoon
During which period was the clarinet invented?
The Classical period
What is a basso continuo, and which period does this relate to?
A continuous bass part, Baroque period
Why were the dynamics of the Baroque period restrained to very loud or very quiet?
Because the harpsichord cannot gradually change between the two
Name some famous composers from the Classical period
Beethoven
Mozart
Haydn
Name some famous composers from the Romantic period
Chopin
Tchaikovski
Purcell
Wagner
What was the main difference between orchestras over time?
They grew
Which period was was the piano introduced?
Classical
In the classical period, which group generally played most of the melodies?
The violins/ string section
Classical symphonies tended to have 4 movements. True or false?
True
What is a symphony? (Classical)
A big piece for an entire orchestra. They can last more than an hour
What is a sonata?
Usually written for one instrument, with 3 or 4 movements
During which period did the soloist have a ridiculously difficult part, where they could show off?
The Romantic period
Five the definition of a cadenza
A piece performed by the soloist. Before the romantic period, they were mostly improvised
What is a basso continuo?
A continued bass part often played on an organ or harpsichord, but could be on the cellos, double basses or bassoons. Feature of baroque period
Give the dates for the periods
Baroque - 1600 to 1750
Classical - 1750 to 1820
Romantic - 1820 to 1900
20th Century - 1900 to 2000
In the baroque period, what did composers use to contrast their music?
Modulation to change keys
Talk about the easy ways to recognise baroque music/ their features
The melodies are built from short musical ideas/ motifs, that repeat quite often
The harmonies are simple, with a fairly narrow range of chords (mainly I and V)
The melody is packed with ornaments, making it more interesting
The music often involves counterpoint - with 2 or more melodies played at the same time. This texture is described as contrapuntual or polyphonic
The dynamics change suddenly, as the harpsichord couldn’t gradually change dynamics
Small orchestra
Polyphonic
Which structures were developed in the baroque period?
Binary and ternary form
Which groups of instruments were dominant in the baroque period?
String instruments - violins, violas, double basses, cellos
Keyboard instruments - harpsichord, organ
What instruments from these groups were used in the baroque period?
a) Strings
b) Woodwind
c) Keyboard
d) Brass
a) Violins, violas, cellos, double basses
b) Flute, recorder, oboe, bassoon
c) Harpsichord, organ
d) Trumpet and horns, but with limited valves
What us the definition of a concerto?
It is a work for orchestra and soloist(s). They’re made up of movements, with common themes but contrasting tempos, keys, moods, etc.
What are the 2 types of baroque concerto and what do they include?
1) Solo concerto - a single solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra
2) Concerto grosso - small group of soloists is contrasted with the rest of the orchestra (the ripieno) and the basso continuo
What are common features of the classical period?
Homophonic Diatonic Balanced phrasing Alternating bass and (simple) chords Terraced dynamics Classical sized orchestra Solo concerto more popular - one soloist Improvised solos Piano, clarinet Larger range of percussion (timpani more, bass drums, snare drums, triangles, cymbals)
What are common features of the classical period?
Homophonic Diatonic Balanced phrasing Alternating bass and (simple) chords Terraced dynamics Classical sized orchestra Solo concerto more popular - one soloist Improvised solos Piano, clarinet Larger range of percussion (timpani more, bass drums, snare drums, triangles, cymbals) Strings dominant, played most of the melodies Wind instruments play extra notes to fill the harmony. When they do get the tune, often just double the strings Clear, simple structure - question and answer Diatonic Constant, clear tempo Sonata form
What does diatonic mean?
All the notes belong to the main key (or at least mostly)
What are the 3 parts of sonata form?
Exposition - Themes are exposed/ heard for the first time
Development - Themes go through interesting twists and turns
Recapitulation - themes are recapped/ played again
What ideas did romantic composers show?
Ideas of love, hate, happiness, grief, life and death
Inspired by the natural world and the supernatural
Give some features of the romantic period
Much more dramatic - VIRTUOSO
Wide range of dynamics, sudden and gradual changes could go from ppp to fff then back again.
Sforzandos
Dolce, amoroso, agitato
Tempo changes - rubato (robbed time)
Extra notes to chords for interesting harmonies, also created dissonance showing pain & misery
Show off, technically difficult
National pride - folk tunes and dance rhythms from homelands
Romantic sized orchestra
Piccolo, bass clarinet, contrabassoon (octave lower) + to wind
Percussion had xylophones, glockenspials, drums, cymbals, bells, triangles
Celestes (keyboard sounds like glockenspial) & harps
Brass more valves to pay more notes, trombones and tubas added
Large range of texture, timbre and dynamics
PIANO
Solos not improvised, but VERY complex - cadenzas
