New Topic! Classical Music Flashcards
Secco
Dry, basic chord in the background
Recitative.
Music following the rhythms of speech, within operas.
Strumentatto
More interesting.
Arria
A song in an opera, oratorio or cantata with orchestral accompaniment - more melodic.
Canon
A common theme is repeated by different instruments in the melody line.
Basso Continuo
AKA continuo.
Played by CELLO, BASS, VIOLA DA GAMBA or BASSOON, with the harpsichord, organ or lute filling in.
Suite
A set of dances.
Concerto
Work for a solo instrument and orchestra. Flute solo and orchestra is a flute concerto.
Ground bass
A theme in the bass which is repeated many times while the upper parts are varied.
Contrapuntal.
Texture in which each of two or more parts has independent melodic interest; similar in meaning to polyphonic.
Polyphonic
Texture which consists of two or more melodic lines, possibly of equal importance and which weave independently of each other.
Symphony
A large work for orchestra usually in four movements. In the classical period, the movers were normally fast, slow, minuet and trio, fast.
Chamber music
Music written for a small instrument ensemble with one player to a part.
String quartet
A musical ensemble of four string players - TWO VOILIN players, a VIOLIST and a CELLIST - or a piece written to perform such a group.
Sonata
A work for solid piano, or a solo instrument accompanied by piano, in three or four movements.
