Definitions Flashcards
What is Basso Continuo?
A way of playing music where a low instrument plays the bass line, and a keyboard instrument adds the chords on top.
Define Ritornello.
A repeated musical section.
In vocal works, what does Ritornello refer to?
The recurring part that the orchestra plays.
What is Opera Seria?
A type of serious, formal opera from the 18th century, usually with noble or mythological stories.
What is Recitative?
A way of singing that’s closer to speaking than normal singing, used to move the story forward in an opera.
What is a Da Capo Aria?
A song in opera with three parts: the first part, a contrasting middle part, and then you repeat the first part again.
Define Motto Aria.
An aria that uses a repeating musical phrase or theme throughout.
What is Intermezzo?
A short piece of music or an act, often a comedic play or musical section, placed between the main acts of an opera or performance.
What characterizes a Patter Aria?
A fast, energetic aria with quick, clear singing, often used for comic effect in operas.
Define Oratorio.
A large musical work for orchestra and voices, similar to an opera but without acting or staging, often based on religious themes.
What is Recitativo Secco?
A type of recitative where the singer is accompanied only by the basso continuo.
What distinguishes Recitativo Accompagnato?
A recitative that is accompanied by the full orchestra, making it sound more dramatic.
What is Reform Opera?
A movement in opera that sought to make the drama more important than the music, with a more natural approach to storytelling.
What are the main components of Cantata/Kirchenmusik/Concerto/Konzert?
- Cantata: A vocal composition, often with religious themes.
- Kirchenmusik: Church music, often by composers like Bach.
- Concerto: A musical work for an orchestra and solo instrument.
- Konzert: The German word for ‘concerto,’ often used for Bach’s concertos.
What is a Prelude?
A short piece that introduces a larger work.
Define Fugue.
A type of music where a theme is introduced and then repeated in different voices or instruments, building complexity.
What is the Subject in a fugue?
The main theme of a fugue.
What does Answer refer to in a fugue?
The second entry of the theme, usually a bit altered.
What is Exposition in a fugue?
The part where all the voices introduce the subject.
What is an Episode in a fugue?
A section in the fugue where the theme is not played, creating variety.
What is Stretto in the context of a fugue?
When the voices enter more closely together, creating tension.
Define Inversion in music.
When the theme is turned upside down.
What is Augmentation in musical terms?
When the theme is played slower.
What is Sonata?
A piece of music for one or two instruments, often with multiple movements.
What characterizes Empfindsamer Stil?
A style of music that’s expressive, emotional, and sensitive.
What is the use of Ritornello Form in a concerto?
The orchestra’s main theme comes back between the soloist’s parts.
What is a Sinfonia?
A piece of music for an orchestra, often the first movement of an opera or cantata.
Define Symphony.
A large orchestral work, usually with multiple movements.
What is the Italian model for a Symphony?
Fast-slow-fast (f-s-f).
What is the German model for a Symphony?
Fast-slow-dance-fast (f-s-d-f).
What are the main sections of Sonata Form?
- Exposition: Introduces themes.
- Development: Themes are altered.
- Recapitulation: Returns to the original themes.
What does Early Sonata Form focus on?
Often simpler, focusing on two main sections, like an ‘expanded binary’ form.
What is the structure of a Sonata Cycle?
- Fast (sonata form)
- Slow (theme and variations, ternary, or other forms)
- Dance (often minuet and trio)
- Fast (usually rondo or sonata form)
What is Rounded Binary Form?
A musical form where the first section is repeated, but with a return of part of the A section after the contrasting middle.
What is Double Exposition Sonata Form?
A version of sonata form used in concertos, where the orchestra first presents the main themes, then the soloist repeats them.
Define Minuet and Trio.
A dance form with three sections: A (minuet), B (trio), and A (minuet again).
What is a Rondo?
A form with a main theme that keeps returning, like A-B-A-C-A.
What is Sonata-Rondo?
Combines sonata form and rondo form.
What is Drama Giocoso?
A rare type of opera that is both dramatic and humorous.
