Midterm Terms & Definitions Flashcards
Aria
a song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera or oratorio. ex: Uno Voce Poco Fa, Rossini
Cadenza
a virtuoso solo passage inserted into a movement in a concerto or other work, typically near the end. Ex: The harpsichord cadenza in Brandenburg 5.
Coda
the concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition to the basic structure. Ex: Beethoven Symphony n. 9, mov 4.
Concerto
a musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra, especially one conceived on a relatively large scale Ex: Beethoven Piano Concerto n. 4
Counterpoint
the art or technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules Ex: Schubert’s Lieders
Da capo
“Da capo” is an Italian musical term that means “from the beginning” and is used as a direction to repeat a section of music. Ex: Handel’s Messiah
Enlightenment
an European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition. Ex: The program of Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique
Heiligenstadt Testament
The Heiligenstadt Testament is a letter written by Ludwig van Beethoven to his brothers Carl and Johann at Heiligenstadt on 6 October 1802 where he complains about his health and gives instructions as to how his wealth should be distributed.
Fugue
a contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts. Ex: Beethoven’s Grosse Fugue
Libretto
the text of a work (such as an opera) for the musical theater. Ex: The libretto for Rossini’s The Barber of Seville
Lied, Lieder
a type of German song, especially of the romantic period, typically for solo voice with piano accompaniment Ex: Schubert’s An Die Musik
Minuet and Trio
An A-B-A form (A = minuet; B = trio) in a moderate triple meter that is often the third movement of the Classical sonata cycle. Ex: Beethoven’s Piano Sonata N. 14
Opera buffa and opera seria
Opera seria is characterized by serious, historical dramas, a high vocal male lead, and a noble audience. Opera buffa, on the other hand, are comedic operas with a low vocal male lead that feature subjects of daily life. Opera buffa: The Italian Girl in Algiers. Opera seria: Fidelio
Oratorio
a large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme, performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action. Ex: Handel’s Messiah
Organicism
Organicism might broadly be described to be the view that music ought properly to be modelled on the paradigm of the living entity.
Overture
an orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play, oratorio, or other extended composition.
Program music
music that is intended to evoke images or convey the impression of events
Recitative
musical declamation of the kind usual in the narrative and dialogue parts of opera and oratorio, sung in the rhythm of ordinary speech with many words on the same note.
Ritornello
a short instrumental refrain or interlude in a composition and/or a recurring tutti section in a concerto.
Romanticism
a movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th century, emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual.
Scherzo
a vigorous, light, or playful composition, typically comprising a movement in a symphony or sonata.
Schubertiade
A social gathering whose primary purpose is the performance of the music of Schubert
Singspiel
a form of German light opera, typically with spoken dialogue, popular especially in the late 18th century.
Sonata
a composition for an instrumental soloist, often with a piano accompaniment, typically in several movements with one or more in sonata form.
Sonata form: exposition, development, recapitulation
In sonata form the exposition corresponds to the first part of binary form, the development and recapitulation to the second. The exposition moves from the original key to a new key; the development passes through several keys and the recapitulation returns to the original key.
Song Cycle
a set of related songs, often on a romantic theme, intended to form a single musical entity.
String quartet
a chamber music ensemble consisting of first and second violins, viola, and cello. or a composition for string quartet
Strophic and modified strophic
Simple-strophic setting consists of a single piece of music to be repeated for all stanzas. Modified-strophic setting retains the same musical framework for each stanza but with changing details in the voice and accompaniment to suit the progressing text.
Sublime
of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe. Beethoven’s Eroica
Symphony
an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements, at least one of which is traditionally in sonata form.
Theme and variations
a standard form of musical composition consisting of a simple usually harmonized melody presented first in its original unadorned form then repeated several or many times with varied treatment so based on the theme that at least some semblance of its general melodic or harmonic form is evident
Through-composed
(of a composition, especially a song) not based on repeated sections or verses, especially having different music for each verse.
Virtuoso
a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
