Periods of Music - Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque

Question 1

Plainchant

Answer 1

Also known as plainsong or Gregorian chant. Unaccompanied melody set to words of the Roman Catholic text.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi5CZ3lTXP8

Question 2

Medieval

Answer 2

Music up to 1450, mainly monophonic (single line).

Question 3

Renaissance

Answer 3

Music from 1450 to 1600, features contrapuntal textures.

Question 4

Modes/Modal

Answer 4

Early scale e.g D-D playing all white notes.

Question 5

Syllabic

Answer 5

Vocal music where each syllable is given one note only.

Question 6

Melismatic

Answer 6

Several notes sung to one syllable.

Question 7

Mass

Answer 7

Sacred chordal work in five sections, sung in Latin (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei).

Question 8

A cappella

Answer 8

Unaccompanied singing - no instrumental accompaniment.

Question 9

Polyphonic

Answer 9

Two or more parts playing independent melodies and rhythms.

Question 10

Homophonic

Answer 10

Music built on chords where all parts move at the same time.

Question 11

Baroque

Answer 11

A style of music from 1600-1750, harpsichord is one of the main instruments heard.

Question 12

Contrapuntal

Answer 12

Parts played above or below each other in melody.

Question 13

Basso Continuo

Answer 13

Sometimes referred to as continuo. Consists of a bass line (basso continuo)played by a cello, bass or bassoon. In addition the harpsichord or organ was expected to fill in harmonies built on that bass line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTGVOvTv0zE

Question 14

Opera

Answer 14

A play that is sung, uses costumes and sets.

Question 15

Aria

Answer 15

Solo song.

Question 16

Da Capo Aria

Answer 16

Aria in ternary form where the repeated A section is not written out, but embellished with ornamentation.

Question 17

Recitative

Answer 17

A type of vocal writing where the music follows the rhythm of speech. It is used in operas and oratorios to move the story or plot on.

Question 18

Chorus

Answer 18

Large body of singers who perform together.

Question 19

Ground Bass

Answer 19

Repeated phrase or motif heard in the bass line.

Question 20

Passacaglia

Answer 20

Variations over a ground bass.

Question 21

Oratorio

Answer 21

Usually a story from the Bible set to music for soloists, a chorus and orchestra. It may include recitatives, arias, duets and chorus. It is performed without acting or stage design.

Question 22

Obbligato

Answer 22

A prominent solo instrument part in a piece of vocal music.

Question 23

Descant

Answer 23

A counter melody which accompanies and is sung above the main melody.

Question 24

Countermelody

Answer 24

A melody played against the main melody.

Question 25

Concerto Grosso

Answer 25

A type of concerto in which a small group of soloists (concertino) is combined and contrasted with a larger group (ripieno).

Question 26

Concertino

Answer 26

In a Concerto Grosso this is the name given to the small, solo group of instrumentalists.

Question 27

Ripieno

Answer 27

In Baroque music, especially Concerto grosso, the term means the main group of instrumentalists as opposed to the small/solo group which was known as the Concertino.

Question 28

Ritornello

Answer 28

Little return. In a Concerto grosso, the ritornello is the main theme played by the Ripieno group (the orchestra) and sometimes by Concertino (the soloists). The ritornello may return frequently throughout the movement, similar to a Rondo.

Question 29

Episode

Answer 29

A contrasting linking section which is played after each theme within ritornello.