MT 1 Flashcards
Basso Continuo
The practice of creating an accompaniment from a bass part by playing the bass notes and improvising harmonies above them. The harmonies were derived from a set of figures that specified intervals above the given bass note.
Opera
A drama with continuous or nearly continuous music, staged with scenery, costumes, and action
Monody
A solo vocal style having a single melodic line and instrumental accompaniment
Recitative
A style of text setting that imitates and emphasizes the natural inflections, rhythms, and syntax of speech
Aria
A section an Italian strophic poem for a solo singer
Libretto (little book)
the literary text of an opera
Chamber music
small ensemble music with one player per part
Oratorio
An extended setting of a text on a religious topic for soloists, chorus, and orchestra
Doctrine of affections
Notion that music has power to arouse specific emotions from listener
Passion
an extended oratorio-like setting of the story of the crucifixtion
Cantata
a composition for one or more voices usually comprising solos, duets, recitatives, and choruses and swung to an instrumental accompaniment
Toccata
A composition in the style of an improvisation, for the piano, organ, or other keyboard instrument, intended to exhibit the player’s technique
Ricercare
A composition with one or more themes in contrapuntal imitation (precursor to fugue)
Fantasia
A composition with a free form, often in improvisatory style
Canzone
an instrumental work in several contrasting sections, usually beginning with imitative counterpoint
Sonata
an instrumental composition for solo or small ensemble
Variations
a form in which a theme is varied contrapuntally, melodically, or harmonically
Dance Suite
a group of movements in which each is based on the meter and rhythms of a dance type
Ode
a festive musical setting, usually in free form, that customarily includes sections of chorus, soloists, and orchestra
Villancico
Spanish vernacular form that featured on or more choirs, often accompanied by continuo. Originally secular but became sacred in 17th century
Zarzuela
light operatic setting, usually based on mythology, which alternates between speech and song
Concerto grosso
orchestral composition that contrasts small solo group with full orchestra
Chorale cantata
sacred composition for voices and instruments in which the organizing principle is the words and music of a chorale
