Purcell Set Piece Flashcards
Define Melisma (with an example) (Purcell)
When more than one note is played in one syllable - “wonderin’” bar 10
Define word painting
Purcell
Word painting is when a song’s lyrics is conveyed literally through the music
Describe the difference between melismatic and syllabic singing
(Purcell)
Melismatic- more than one note per syllable
Syllabic- one note per syllable
Define a ground bass and describe it throughout this piece
Purcell
The ground bass is a continuous line that repeats throughout a piece of music In this piece it is - 3 bars long - repeated quavers - slow tempo
What is the piece structure?
Purcell
Ternary form (ABA’)
What instruments are used in this piece?
Purcell
Solo voice
Harpsichord
Bass viol
What is the tonality of this piece?
Purcell
The A sections are in A minor
Th B section passes through different keys
(Cadences in C, A, Am & Em
What is the feel of this piece?
Purcell
Lament:
A song with sad feelings
Falling phrases, minor keys and slow tempo
Give an example of word painting
Purcell
In the word “eternal” bar 21/2 the word is a long melisma lasting almost two bars, this conveys the idea of the event having occurred for a long time as the word itself does this.
What is the other name for Ternary form?
Purcell
Da capo aria (or ABA)
What changes in the second A section?
Purcell
The final A section is shorter and the voice adds ornaments
What instrument plays the melody in the introduction?
Purcell
Harpsichord
What is the tempo of the ground bass?
Purcell
Slow and steady
What voice is used?
Purcell
Soprano, female voice
Which instruments play the ground bass?
Purcell
Harpsichord and Bass Viol
