Music 103 - Test 2 Flashcards
Protestant Reformation
- movement against certain tenets of Catholic Church –> led by Martin Luther
- singing in the vernacular (simple way) –> no latin
Renaissance
- rebirth, period of interest in the classical arts of Ancient Greece and Rome
- started in early 15th century and dominated style of western music 1450-1600
Counter Reformation
- catholic response to protestants
- proposed certain reforms (like those related to church music)
Golden Age of Polyphony
- renaissance age
- polyphony was prevalent and beautiful
Renaissance Motet
- religious vocal composition
- through-composed
- polyphonic texture
- sung in Latin
- invariably serene and worshipful
Word Painting
musical illustrations of verbal concepts
Through-composed
- each phrase of text is set to a new melody
- part of the renaissance motet
Imitative polyphony
- texture of the motet
- different from a cannon/round
- imitation similar (but not the same) as the preceding voice
Josquin Desprez
- born in French Netherlands
- spent most of his adult life teaching/composing/performing in Italy
- perfected imitative polyphony technique
Giovanni Palestrina
- assimilated and perfected Desprez’s techniques
- added personal style/was more conservative
- “prince of music”
- devoted his career to writing religious music –> council of trent
- gave polyphonic mass settings/motets transparency
Hymn
- congregational song
- non-lithurgical text religious song
Chorale
- characteristic hymn introduced by Martin Luther
Strophic form
- two or more stanzas set to the same music
- popular song form
Psalm tunes
- tuneful settings of 150 psalms in suitable versions for congregational singing
Madrigal
- secular song introduced in Italy that became popular in England
- polyphonic in texture
- expressive in mood
- written in vernacular
- sung at social gatherings homes/private meetings
- could be performed by anyone
Lute
- plucked string instrument
- most widely used in 16th century
- played both difficult/simple compositions
- accompanied singing/played vocal music
- similar to guitar
Viol
- most popular bowed instrument in Renaissance
- six-string precursor to violin
- ridges to show where string should be held/stopped
- soft & delicate tone
Clavichord
- keyboard capable of subtle changes of volume/slight vibrato
- far more sensitive than harpsichord
- metal piece used to strike sting –> held until key was released
Vibrato
- rapid variation in pitch
Recorder
- end blown, “whistle flute”
- developed in middle ages and popular in Renaissance
- several sizes –> large range of pitches
- held perpendicular versus transverse flute
Consort
- ensemble with several members of the same instrument family (3+)
- arranged like vocal choirs
Polychoral Music
- music from 2+ choirs, vocal/instrumental
- performed antiphonally (responsive)
Concertato Principle
- the principle of contrasting sonorities of large & small vocal/instrumental ensembles (quality of resonance)
- strong appeal to Baroque imagination
Baroque
- odd, irregular, uneven
Movement
- section of work that has its own design but is part of the whole
- usually separated by a pause
Tonal System
- system of harmony based on major/minor scales that dominated Western music since 17th century
- replaced modality for the organization of Western music
First practice
- polyphonic
- conservative style of late Renaissance
Second practice
- homophonic
- expressive style introduced by Monteverdi
Chromaticism
- use of tones on chromatic scale not included in the scale of the current key
Libretto
- text of dramatic vocal work
Recitative
- speech-like text
- homophonic accompaniment (dry)
- orchestral accompaniment (accompanied)
Aria
- song-like piece
- expressive, emotional
- generally accompanied by orchestra
- generally homphonic
Da Capo aria
- “from beginning”
- ABA design
Bel Canto
- “beautiful song”
- applied to BaroqueItalian Opera
- emphasized beauty and virtuosity of voice
Castrati
- men who showed great potential as young boys
- castrated to preserve voice range
Oratorio
- multi-movement dramatic vocal work on a religious subject performed in concert style
- fewer recitatives, less flamboyant than aria
Cantata
- multi-movement dramatic work on religious/secular subject
- performed in concert –> shorter than oratorio
- sung in vernacular, accompanied by organ/sm. orchestra
Terraced Dynamics
- abrupt changes of dynamic level
Prelude
- short introductory/independent piece for keyboard
- improvisatory –> often paired with fugue
Chorale prelude
- prelude based on Lutheran chorale tune
Fugue
- imitative polyphonic composition
- 2-6 voices (usually 3 or 4)
Toccata
- rhapsodic, virtuosic keyboard piece (show-off)
- improvisatory, flexible despite bing written out
Suite
- collection of stylize dance pieces for keyboard
- orchestral piece consisting of selections from dramatic work/dance
Bass continuo
- continuous supporting bass line of a Baroque composition
- throughbass
Figured Bass
- musical shorthand where composers indicated intervals above bass line with #s rather than notated pitches
Chamber Music
- music for one small instrument ensemble with one instrument per music line
Sonata
- trio sonata (4 performers) –> most common form
1. 15th/16th century- composition sounded rather than sung
- Baroque
- multi-movement composition for 1-2 solo instruments accompanied by continuo
- Post Baroque
- multi-movement composition for 1-2 solo instruments
- composition sounded rather than sung
Orchestra
- mixed ensemble of few wind, string, and occasional percussion
Solo concerto
multi-movement composition for orchestra and a solo instrument
Concerto grosso
- composition of orchestra and a small group of solo instruments
Ritornello
- thematic section, often played by orchestra
- begins concerto movement, divides solo sections
- returns to original form at the end
Sonata (2)
da chiesa: sacred
da camera: secular
Rococo
- in between period –> elegant, frivolous, ornate style of art
- second quarter of 18th century
- about lavish showing off
Sensitive/sentimental style
- emotional style
- inspired by German middle class of second quarter of 18th century
- pulled to more conservative style –> pleasant over profound
- about feelings rather than showing off
Giovanni Gabrieli
- famous organist,, teacher, composer
- wrote/performed at St. Marks
Henry Purcell
- excelled in vocal dramatic work creation
- wrote sacred choral music, keyboard works, instrumental works
Martin Luther
- leader of the Protestant Reformation
- introduced new form of congregational singing –> chorale
Thomas Weelkes
Exemplified English madrigal –> as vesta was from Latmos hill descending
Louis Bourgeois
- wrote psalm tunes
- protestant hymnals - still sung/played today
John Dowland
- produced songs sung in parts/ accompanied by lute or viol
- adapted dance forms like fast-tempo galliard
Johann Bach
- church musician, teacher
Continued in the more conservative baroque and sensitive styles
George Handel
- originally from Germany
- religious, one of the greatest harpsichord players
- composed more music for theater than church –> Italian operas
- turned to oratorios after opera
- stayed in the conservative baroque/sensitive styles
Francois Couperin
- French composer in the Rococo style
C.P.E. Bach
- son of Bach (5)
- like father, stayed in the conservative german sensitive style
Claudio Monteverdi
- 1607 L’Orfeo
- successfully blended literary, visual, and performance arts
- built bridge between Renaissance and baroque –> first great opera
Antonio Vivaldi
- spent most of his life as professional musician
- taught at conservatory-orphanage for girls in Venice
- The Four Seasons - most famous work
Stradivari & Guarneri
Makers of violins
