Study Guide for Exam 2 Flashcards
Baroque Period dates
1600 to 1750
Patronage System
Composer had to please patron, in use in both Classical and Baroque periods
Improvisation
Spontaneous creation of music
Metrical Rhythm
Music is steady and metric from beginning to end (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
Virtuoso
Performing at the highest technical level
Oratorio
Lengthy work for voices and orchestra new in the Baroque era
Oratorios consist of:
Recitatives
Choruses
Arias
Recitatives:
Expressive of the text
Natural speech rhythm
Sparsely accompanied
Not very melodic
Aria:
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)
Chorale:
Hymn for Lutheran church
Cantata:
Contains recitatives, choruses, and arias
Much shorter than oratorio
Performed in worship service
Several parts contain a chorale melody
Opera:
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
The Suite:
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
Different movement types in the Suite:
Minuet
Gavotte
Gigue
Sonata:
And instrumental work for one or a few instruments
Important Baroque Composers:
J.S. Bach
G.F. Handel
H. Purcell
A. Vivaldi
C. Monteverdi
A. Corelli
The Concerto Grosso (multiple soloists):
Contrasts small group with large group
Alternation of Tutti (all play) and the soloists
Most concerti are in 3 movements
(Fast-slow-fast)
The Fugue - Imitative Polyphony:
One theme (subject)
New line against the subject (counter subject)
The subject and counter subject are always played together
Toccata:
Virtuoso keyboard work (touch piece)
Highly virtuostic and dramatic
Classical Period:
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
Important Classical German Composers:
Haydn
Mozart
Beethoven
Important Classical French Composers:
Couperin
Rameau
Standard forms:
Sonata (Allegro) - 1st and 2nd movements
Theme and variations - 4th movements
Minuet and trio - 3rd movements
Rondo - 4th movements
The Classical Symphony:
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
The Concerto:
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
Classical Concerto - Single Soloist:
Cadenza = Unaccompanied soloist improvises on themes from movement
Improvisation = Spontaneous creation of music
Rondo form:
Return of theme at least two times (frequently more: A B A C A)
Often final movement
