Lesson 2 Cumulative Review Flashcards
What is classical music?
Notated music of lasting aesthetic value
from the churches and royal courts of Europe (early on), usually adhering to a particular form
When did the term ‘classical music’ start to be used?
in the 1700s
What are the four main eras of classical music?
Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th century
What is solo instrumental music?
Music played by one instrument, usually a polyphonic one
What is an example of a polyphonic instrument?
Any keyboard instrument, such as a piano, organ, etc.
What is a monophonic instrument?
Any instrument that typically plays only one note at a time
What is chamber music?
Music meant to e performed in a room (or chamber) for a small audience, typically by a small group of musicians
What is a common type of chamber ensemble?
A string quartet, made up of two violins, one viola, and one cello
What is orchestral music?
Music played by a large group of musicians, typically including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion
What are concertos?
Works that feature a solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment
What is choral music?
Music written for a choir, commonly for the church
What is a cantata?
Music composed for a weekly worship service
What does the term ‘Renaissance’ mean
Rebirth
It refers to the revival of ancient Greek disciplines and arts.
Who painted The Creation of Adam?
Michelangelo
What invention in the 1400s greatly impacted music distribution?
The printing press
What was a significant change in how composers were viewed during the Renaissance?
Composers were seen as artists with the ability to move and influence listeners.
What does ‘humanism’ refer to in the context of the Renaissance?
A return to the humanities: ancient literature, grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and philosophy
What type of music did Josquin des Prez primarily compose?
Music for worship in the Catholic church service
What is an interval in music?
The distance between two notes
What are the ‘perfect’ intervals in music?
4ths, 5ths, and octaves
What interval became popular during the Renaissance?
The interval of a third
What is a triad?
A group of three notes, stacked in thirds
What important thing does the third note of the scale indicate?
Whether the music is in a major or minor key
How did the blending of voices change from the Medieval to the Renaissance era?
From independent voices to more complementary blending
What is a madrigal?
A secular song for voices, typically setting a poem to music
Who was Palestrina?
A popular Renaissance composer who wrote over 100 masses
What approach to music did Martin Luther advocate for in church music?
Music in the worshipers’ own language, accessible to non-professional singers
What was the predominant musical instrument during the Renaissance?
The human voice
What other types of instruments (besides the voice) were popular in the Renaissance?
Lute, Viol, Keyboard, Recorder
Why are triads important in the music of the West?
They form the basis of all harmony, which is an essential element of the structure of a piece.
