Music for a While by Henry Purcell - context Flashcards
1
Q
What type of song is this?
A
- lament
2
Q
What was this piece written for?
A
- a production of Dryden and Lee’s play ‘Oedipus’ in 1692
- written for voice and continuo
3
Q
What did the continuo part usually consist of?
A
- viol / cello / bassoon playing bass line
- keyboard instrument such as the harpsichord / organ improvising a part based on the harmonies
4
Q
What is the harpsichord?
A
- a keyboard instrument where the strings are plucked rather than hammered
5
Q
What is a viol ?
A
- a bowed string instrument which was popular at the time
6
Q
What baroque features does this piece use?
A
- ## based on a ground bass
7
Q
Which era was this piece written in?
A
Baroque
8
Q
What was Purcell influenced by?
A
- Italian style : characterised double dotted notes, da capo arias
9
Q
What is Da Capo Aria?
A
- ABA or ternary form
- means from the beginning again and often the A section would be ornamented by the singer
10
Q
Which movement was this piece?
A
-2nd of 4 movements Purcell wrote for the play as ‘incidental music’ performed between the dramatic parts of the play
11
Q
Who was Henry Purcell?
A
- english composer
- lived between 1659 and 1695
- known for composing dance suits, trio sonatas, as well as operas and songs
- ‘Dido’s lament’ is one of his most well-known pieces and also makes use of ground bass and word-painting.
