Definitions Flashcards
Arch form
A sectional structure based on repetition in reverse order. Height of composition is in middle, ends and begins similarity
ABCBA , C is the climax
Ex. Distant memories - Louie
Atonality
Total absence of any key centre, characterized by unresolved dissonances
Ex. Petrushka– Stravinsky
Ballet
Highly stylized dance which often interprets a story
Ex. Petrushka– Stravinsky
Berceuse
French for lullaby
Ex. Distant memories– Louie
Cha-cha
Latin-American ballroom dance (originating from Cuba) from early 1950s derived from the mambo, with small steps
Ex. West side story– bernstein
Changing meter
Shift of metrical groupings through changes of time signature
Ex. Petrushka–Stravinsky
Choreography
The art of designing the dance steps or movements in a stage work (musical, opera, ballet)
Ex. West side story– choreographer Gerome Robbins
Flutter tongue
Roll of the tongue while playing a wind instrument as if sounding a letter r
Ex. Rite of spring– Stravinsky
Antique cymbals
Small brass disks, finger cymbals, produce a gentle ringing sound
Ex. Prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune –Debussy
Absolute music
Music with no literary or pictorial associations
Ex. Quinten–Haydn
Binary form
A musical form With 2 sections, both are usually repeated
AB
Ex. 3rd movement of Eine Kleine- menuet=AB
Coda
Italian for tail. The ending of a piece
Ex. Beethoven symphony no 5, final movement
Cyclical structure
Material heard in one movement recurs in later movements, creates unity in a multi-movement work
Ex. symphony no 5 –Beethoven
Development
The second main edition of sonata form. Manipulation of the empathic material presented in exposition, may also present new material
Ex. Beethoven–symphony no 5, first movement
Exposition
The first main section of sonata form. Consists of the first theme, (in the tonic key) bridge, second theme (often in dominant or relative key)
Ex. Beethoven–sym no 5, first movement.
Menuet and trio
ABA form
Menuet - a French dance developed in baroque period, in 3/4 time, graceful and elegant
Trio-a contrasting middle form
Ex. Mozart-Eine kleine, 3rd movement
Recapitulation
The third main section of sonata form. First and second themes restated in tonic key. Ends with a coda
Ex. Beethoven –symp no 5, 1st movement
Rocket theme
Rapidly ascending melody outlining an arpeggio
Ex. Eine kleine nachtmusik– Mozart
Rondo form
A musical form with the a section recurring alternating sections creating contrast. (A section is heard 3 or more times in the tonic key)
ABACA or ABACABA
Ex. Eine kleine, second movement -Mozart
Rounded binary
ABA
A musical form with 2 sections where A section returns after the B
ex eine kleine 3rd movement
Folk Song
songs of unknown authorship passed down through oral tradition rather than written down
petrushka- stravinsky
Glissando
from French for “slide”. On the harp a quick strumming of all strings with a sweeping hand movement. creates a shimmering effect
Prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune - Debussy
Hemiola
shift of metrical accents, notes grouped in 3 are momentarily grouped in 2 or vice-versa.
America-WSS–Bernstein
Impressionism
19th century style of painting led by manet, monet, degas
impressionism in music
suggests rather than directly depicting. Features innovative orchestral colours, no strong sense of beat, muted instruments
prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune- Debussy
Mambo
afro-Cuban dance from 1940/1950’s characterized by rhythmic ostinatos
Wss- Bernstein
musical
a uniquely American genre- a play with spoken dialogue but featuring musical numbers, song, dancing, staging
WSS- Bernstein
pentatonic scale
a scale consisting of 5 notes
Petrushka Chord
a dissonant polychord used as a signature theme for the character of Petrushka. Consists of a C major and F sharp major arpeggios played together
Polyrhythm
two or more rhthms going on simultaneously
petrushka-stravinsky
primitivism
an effect created through rhythm using strong accents, heavy syncopation, polyrhythms, and an expanded percussion section
rite of spring–stravinsky
senza misura
“without measure” played freely, without strict time
Distant Memories- Alexina Louie
Symbolism
French literary movement.
evokes, rather than depict. unorthodox grammar and syntax
led by Baudelaire….also Mallarme, remaud