Handel: 'And the Glory of the Lord' From the oratorio Messiah

Question 0

Give 5 features of the Baroque music

Answer 0

1. The use of ornamented melodic parts
2. The use of diatonic chords
3. ‘Basso continue’ the adoption of the constant keyboard instrument (harpsichord or organ) playing a chordal support with the base line
4. Different musical textures monophonic, polyphonic and homophonic
5. The contrasting of dynamics-loud and soft

Question 1

Give the definition of diatonic

Answer 1

notes or chords belonging to or literally ‘of the key’

Question 2

Give the definition of homophonic

Answer 2

A musical texture comprising a melody part and accompaniment

Question 3

Give the definition of melodic

Answer 3

Refers to the melody line

Question 4

Give the definition of monophonic

Answer 4

A musical texture of a single melodic line with no accompaniment

Question 5

Give the definition of polyphonic

Answer 5

A musical texture featuring two or more parts, each having a melody line and sounding together

Question 6

Give the definition of libretto

Answer 6

The text/words of a musical work such as an opera or oratorio

Question 7

Give the definition of oratorio

Answer 7

Large scale musical setting for chorus, soloists and orchestra of a biblical text.

Question 8

Give the definition of aria

Answer 8

A solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment

Question 9

Give the definition of dominant

Answer 9

Fifth note of the scale or key- the strongest note after the tonic

Question 10

Give the definition of recitative

Answer 10

A style used in operas, oratorios and cantatas in which text is ‘declaimed’ (told) in the rhythm of natural speech

Question 11

Give the definition of cadence

Answer 11

Two chords at the end of a musical phrase. There are four main types of cadence: perfect, imperfect, interrupted and plagal

Question 12

Give the definition of harmonic rhythm

Answer 12

The number of times the chords change per bar

Question 13

Give the definition of hemiola

Answer 13

In triple time. This is a rhythm device often used towards a cadence point, in which notes are grouped in two beat units

Question 14

Give the definition modulating

Answer 14

When the music changes key

Question 15

Give the definition of imitative

Answer 15

Literally separate parts copying or imitating each other. If the imitation is note-for-note the same, this will be a canon

Question 16

Give the definition of perfect cadence

Answer 16

Chord V followed by chord I

Question 17

Give the definition of pedal

Answer 17

A sustained note usually in the lowest bass part. In the middle of a musical texture is called an inner peak and if at the top, an inverted pedal

Question 18

Give the definition of pitch

Answer 18

How high or low a note sounds

Question 19

Give the definition of plagal cadence

Answer 19

Chord IV followed by chord I

Question 21

Give the definition of tonic

Answer 21

The first degree of a scale, the keynote

Question 22

Give the definition of Vb

Answer 22

Dominant chord (V) in first inversion (b)

Question 23

Give the definition of V7c

Answer 23

Dominant 7th chord (V7) in second inversion (c)

Question 24

Give the definition of affection

Answer 24

The mood of a piece of music. It was customary in Baroque music for a single mood to prevail in a movement

Question 25

Give the definition of melisma

Answer 25

An expressive vocal phrase or passage consisting of several notes sung to one syllable

Question 26

Name 4 important composers in the Baroque era

Answer 26

Bach, Handel, Purcell & Vivaldi

Question 27

When was “Messiah” composed?

Answer 27

1741 while Handel was living in London