Music MORE about the compositions Flashcards
What are the types of sacred music written during the Renaissance?
Motets, Masses, Hymns
Define a Renaissance Motet.
A sacred, polyphonic, choral work in Latin, typically unaccompanied and set to a biblical or religious text.
What are the voice parts typically found in Renaissance choral music?
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass (SATB)
What is Cantus Firmus?
A pre-existing melody (often plainchant) used as the structural basis for a polyphonic composition.
Who composed ‘Ave Maria…virgo serena’?
Josquin des Prez
What time period does ‘Ave Maria…virgo serena’ belong to?
Renaissance (ca. 1450–1600)
What unique musical characteristics are found in ‘Ave Maria…virgo serena’?
- Use of imitative polyphony
- Contrast between polyphonic and homophonic textures
- Expressive text setting
Who composed the ‘Pope Marcellus Mass (Gloria)’?
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
What are the five movements of the Ordinary of the Mass?
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Credo
- Sanctus
- Agnus Dei
What was the Protestant Reformation?
A movement initiated by Martin Luther in 1517 to reform the Catholic Church.
What is the significance of Martin Luther in the context of the Protestant Reformation?
He spoke out against bad practices and encouraged people to sing together and use their own language in church.
Who composed ‘Il bianco e dolce cigno’?
Jacques Arcadelt
What genre does ‘Il bianco e dolce cigno’ belong to?
Secular vocal music (Italian madrigal)
What unique musical characteristics are found in ‘Il bianco e dolce cigno’?
- Expressive and lyrical text setting
- Use of word painting
- Homophonic texture
- Themes of love and loss
Who composed ‘Fair Phyllis’?
John Farmer
What genre does ‘Fair Phyllis’ belong to?
Secular vocal music (English madrigal)
What are the general characteristics of Baroque music?
- Highly ornamented melodies
- Energetic rhythms
- Contrasts in dynamics, textures, and forms
What does the term ‘Baroque’ mean?
Derived from the Portuguese ‘barroco,’ meaning ‘misshapen pearl.’
Who is a key composer of the Baroque period?
Johann Sebastian Bach
What is the genre of ‘Spring’ from The Four Seasons?
Instrumental music (Concerto)
What are the unique musical characteristics of ‘Spring’ from The Four Seasons?
- Programmatic writing
- Virtuosic violin solos
- Energetic rhythms and tonal contrasts
Fill in the blank: The form of ‘Spring’ from The Four Seasons is _______.
Ritornello form
What instrumentation is used in ‘Spring’ from The Four Seasons?
- Solo violin
- String orchestra
- Basso continuo (harpsichord or lute with cello)
