Instrumental Music 1700-1820 Flashcards
What was the life of Bach like?
He was born in Germany in 1685. He became a choirboy at 15 and 1717 he was appointed a choirmaster and during this period wrote the Brandenburg Concertos. He was a devout Lutheran and wrote music for the Lutheran Church. He wrote a large repertoire of music for the organ.
What is ornamentation?
Notes that decorate a melody. They are shown by small notes (grace notes) immediately before the main note or symbols above it. Examples include the mordent, trill, turn.
What is diatonic?
Notes belonging to the key of the piece (literally ‘of the key’)
What is monophonic?
Refers to a musical texture comprising a single line which can be sung or played by several people.
What is homophonic?
A texture comprising a melody part and an accompaniment.
What is polyphonic?
Literally ‘many sounds’ more than one melody sounding at the same time or entering at slightly different times so that melodies overlap.
What is a sequence?
The repetition of a musical phrase at a higher or lower pitch than the original.
What is a pedal?
A sustained note, usually in the bass part. It may clash with harmonic changes above it. Pedals are usually on the tonic or dominant notes, so would be called a either tonic or a dominant pedal.
What is suspension?
Prolonging a note to create a dissonance with the next chord.
What is affection?
The prevailing mood in a Baroque movement.
What are features of the Baroque style?
The use of ornamented melodic lines
The establishment of the major/ minor tonal system
The use of the diatonic chords of I, II, IV, V and VI
The basso continuo
Different musical textures such as monophonic, homophonic and polyphonic
Musical devices such as the sequence, pedals and suspensions
The prevalence of one mood or ‘affection’ in a given movement
Contrasting dynamics with just two levels - terraced dynamics
Use of the Baroque orchestra
Who were the Brandenburg Concertos dedicated to?
In 1721 to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg
What is a concerto grosso?
A concerto for more than one soloist. It features two groups of instruments played both separately and in combination with each other. The form offers the potential for many types of textures, including dialoguing and antiphonal effects. The two groups are a smaller group known as the concertino, and a larger group made up of a string orchestra, known as the ripieno. It is usually written in three movements in the order fast-slow-fast.
What is patronage?
A system whereby composers earned money from a wealthy individual for writing music. The person who commissioned (asked for) the music was known as a patron.
What is dialoguing?
Instruments literally ‘in dialogue’, playing one after the other, swapping ideals.
