Study Guide for Exam 2

Question 1

Baroque Period dates

Answer 1

1600 to 1750

Question 2

Patronage System

Answer 2

Composer had to please patron, in use in both Classical and Baroque periods

Question 3

Improvisation

Answer 3

Spontaneous creation of music

Question 4

Metrical Rhythm

Answer 4

Music is steady and metric from beginning to end (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)

Question 5

Virtuoso

Answer 5

Performing at the highest technical level

Question 6

Oratorio

Answer 6

Lengthy work for voices and orchestra new in the Baroque era

Question 7

Oratorios consist of:

Answer 7

Recitatives
Choruses
Arias

Question 8

Recitatives:

Answer 8

Expressive of the text
Natural speech rhythm
Sparsely accompanied
Not very melodic

Question 9

Aria:

Answer 9

Fully accompanied vocal solo in oratorios, cantata, or opera
Reacts to the action of the drama or story
Rather long
Accompanied by orchestra
Memorable melodies
Words repeated often
Most common form A B A (Da Capo)

Question 10

Chorale:

Answer 10

Hymn for Lutheran church

Question 11

Cantata:

Answer 11

Contains recitatives, choruses, and arias
Much shorter than oratorio
Performed in worship service
Several parts contain a chorale melody

Question 12

Opera:

Answer 12

A play is sung throughout
Voices and roles
Libretto - “Little Book”
Staging, costumes, and scenery
Wanted to return to ancient Greek dramas
Over the years, the original goal of expressive music was frequently replaced by a virtuoso singing
Everything is sung

Question 13

The Suite:

Answer 13

A collection of stylized dance music
Stylized (from different countries)
For listening, not dancing
Usually written for keyboard instruments and sometimes orchestra
Many different movement types

Question 14

Different movement types in the Suite:

Answer 14

Minuet
Gavotte
Gigue

Question 15

Sonata:

Answer 15

And instrumental work for one or a few instruments

Question 16

Important Baroque Composers:

Answer 16

J.S. Bach
G.F. Handel
H. Purcell
A. Vivaldi
C. Monteverdi
A. Corelli

Question 17

The Concerto Grosso (multiple soloists):

Answer 17

Contrasts small group with large group
Alternation of Tutti (all play) and the soloists
Most concerti are in 3 movements
(Fast-slow-fast)

Question 18

The Fugue - Imitative Polyphony:

Answer 18

One theme (subject)
New line against the subject (counter subject)
The subject and counter subject are always played together

Question 19

Toccata:

Answer 19

Virtuoso keyboard work (touch piece)
Highly virtuostic and dramatic

Question 20

Classical Period:

Answer 20

1750 to 1820
Something of highest quality
The main cultural center for Classical music was Vienna - although the style started in France
Age of Enlightenment
Simplification of Baroque complexity
Homophony is the predominant texture
Melody dominated
Rhythm = Breathes more than Baroque
Dynamics = Use cresc. Descresc
Instrumental music = Absolute music
Structured music = Sonata Allegro Form A B A
Standard forms
Classical pieces are usually in Major

Question 21

Important Classical German Composers:

Answer 21

Haydn
Mozart
Beethoven

Question 22

Important Classical French Composers:

Answer 22

Couperin
Rameau

Question 23

Standard forms:

Answer 23

Sonata (Allegro) - 1st and 2nd movements
Theme and variations - 4th movements
Minuet and trio - 3rd movements
Rondo - 4th movements

Question 24

The Classical Symphony:

Answer 24

Usually contains 4 parts
Tempos are F S S F
Movement 1 = Sonata Allegro
Movement 2 = Sonata (not fast)
Movement 3 = Minuet and Trio
Movement 4 = Rondo or Theme and Variations

Question 25

The Concerto:

Answer 25

Double exposition = Exposition is repeated with soloist playing the 2nd time
Contracts soloist with orchestra
Solo part is more showy
Soloist stands before orchestra
Soloist usually plays from memory

Question 26

Classical Concerto - Single Soloist:

Answer 26

Cadenza = Unaccompanied soloist improvises on themes from movement
Improvisation = Spontaneous creation of music

Question 27

Rondo form:

Answer 27

Return of theme at least two times (frequently more: A B A C A)
Often final movement