Gibbs Final Terms Flashcards
Aria
an accompanied song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera or oratorio Ex: Casta Diva
Atonal
not written in any key or mode. Ex: Schoenberg’s compositions
Ballad
a narrative composition in rhythmic verse suitable for singing. Ex: Schubert’s Erlkonig
Bel canto
Translated to beautiful singing, bel canto is a type of operatic singing originating in 17th century and 18th century Italy and stressing ease, purity evenness of tone production and an agile and precise vocal technique. Ex: Bellini’s Norma
Cantabile
in a singing manner, to play. Ex: Strauss, Ein Heldenleben, Opening Trumpet Excerpt
Cabaletta
an operatic song in simple style characterized by a uniform rhythm and the lively bravura concluding section of an extended aria or duet. Ex: Norma: Casta Diva
Cadenza
a parenthetical flourish in an aria or other solo piece commonly just before a final or other important cadence. Ex: Haydn, Trumpet Concerto
Character piece
a short musical composition especially for piano conveying a single mood or impression. Ex: Chopin Preludes op. 28
Chorale
a hymn or psalm sung to a traditional or composed melody in church. Ex: Mendelssohn Chorale in Symphony n. 5 in last mov.
Coloratura
elaborate embellishment in vocal music Ex: Casta Diva
Concert Overture
an orchestral overture intended for concert performance. ex: Overture of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Etude
a piece of music for the practice of a point of technique. Ex: Charlier’s Trumpet Etudes
Expressionism
a theory or practice in art of seeking to depict the subjective emotions and responses that objects and events arouse in the artist. Ex: Alben Berg’s Wozzeck
Gesamtkunstwerk
Translates to “total work of art” and is an art work produced by a synthesis of various art forms (such as music and drama)
Grand opera
opera in which the plot is serious or tragic and the entire text is set to music. Ex: Verdi’s Aida
Idée fixe
an idea that dominates one’s mind especially for a prolonged period. Ex: Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique
Leitmotif
an associated melodic phrase or figure that accompanies the reappearance of an idea, person, or situation especially in a Wagnerian music drama. Ex: Wagner’s Fire Leitmotiff
Music drama
an opera in which the action is not interrupted by formal song divisions (such as recitatives or arias) and the music is determined solely by dramatic appropriateness. ex: Wagner’s Ring Cycle
Music of the Future
Is Wagner’s essay where he argued that opera should be a fully integrated art form where music, poetry, drama, and staging are seamlessly combined. He coined the term Gesamtkunstwerk (translated as “total work of art”) to describe this vision.
nationalism
an ideology that elevates one nation or nationality above all others and that places primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations, nationalities, or supranational groups
Nocturne
a work of art dealing with evening or night. Ex: Chopin’s Nocturne N. 2
Operetta
a usually romantic comic opera that includes songs and dancing. Ex: Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow
Program music
music intended to suggest a sequence of images or incidents. Ex: Berlioz’s Symphonie Fatanstique
recitative
a rhythmically free vocal style that imitates the natural inflections of speech and that is used for dialogue and narrative in operas and oratorios. ex: The recitative in Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde
