Genres of Classical Music Flashcards
Concerto Grosso
A solo group plus strings and continuo (Baroque)
Suite
A collection of dance movements often with an overture or prelude, more often for smaller ensemble but occasionally for larger groups (Bach and Handel)
Solo Concerto
Solo instrument and orchestra (mostly Classical onwards)
Symphony
Large-scale orchestral work for strings plus variety of wind, brass and percussion (Classical onwards)
Trio Sonata
Continuo plus two melody instruments (Baroque)
Solo Sonata
Solo instrument plus piano ( Classical onwards)
String Quartet
Two violins, viola and a cello (Classical onwards)
Piano Trio/Quartet
Piano, violin and cello plus viola for quartet (Classical onwards)
Wind Quintet
Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (late Classical onwards).
Brass Quintet
Two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba (Twentieth Century).
Piano Sonata
A three or four-movement work.
Air
English songs most often accompanied by the lute (Renaissance)
Lied
German songs accompanied by the piano (late Classical/Romantic onwards)
Chanson
French songs accompanied by the lute/the keyboard. (Renaissance) or piano (Romantic onwards).
Cantata (late Baroque German)
Solo, chorus, chorale with an instrumental accompaniment and continuo; German text; non-liturgical.
Mass
In latin; liturgical (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei).
Mass (Late Renaissance)
Acapella; refined polyphonic style.
Mass (Baroque)
As cantata, but liturgical latin.
Mass (Classical)
Choir and Classical orchestra plus soloists.
Mass (Romantic)
More operatic in style.
Anthem
English, in the Renaissance this would usually be acapella but from the nineteenth century often accompanied by organ.
Verse anthem
English, accompanied, alternating solo and chorus (late Renaissance)
