Purcell

Question 1

when was music for a while composed

Answer 1

1642 for the play Oedipus (very Baroque)
It is a Lament- a song about grief

Question 2

dynamics in Music for a while

Answer 2

no dynamic markings as baroque

Question 3

rhythm in Music for a while

Answer 3

overall quite slow to reflect the sadder themes

Question 4

instruments in Music for a while

Answer 4

typical of a lament it is composed voice (soprano) and a basso continuo(Bass Viol+ harpsichord+lute)

Question 5

Basso continuo

Answer 5

a continuous bassline that plays throughout the piece - usually a power of 2 long but in music for a while its 3 bars long

Question 6

harmony music for a while

Answer 6

key is mostly minor (Am and C) which the harpsichord plays a figured bass (music shorthand using symbols over notes)-some modulations but always return
ends on a tierce di picadi

Question 7

structure of music for a while

Answer 7

Basso continuo established in first 3 bars
the piece follows a ground bass structure and is written in da capo aria form a form of ternary form

Question 8

what is a ground bass

Answer 8

Ground bass describes a compositional technique in which all the melodies, chords, and rhythms are built on top of an unchanging melody in the lowest line of music

Question 9

melody

Answer 9

vocal line is often very melismatic
mordents
appogiaturas
other grace notes
there is dissonanace used to show tension

Question 10

texture

Answer 10

homophonic