Styles Flashcards
What is sonata?
A composition for solo instrument (usually piano), or
a composition for a solo instrument accompanied by piano.
In the classical period a sonata would normally contain 3 movements – a fast movement, a slow movement and a final fast movement.
What is an oratorio?
Usually a story from the Bible set to music for soloists, chorus and orchestra. Oratorio typically include recitatives, arias, duets and chorus.
What is meant by impressionist?
impressionist style mirrors the style of painting by Artists such as Claude Monet, where edges between objects are often blurred. This effect was created in the music through the use of cross rhythms, often tying notes across a barline, and on piano, particular use was made of the sustain pedal.
What is meant by musique concrete?
Natural sounds which are recorded onto magnetic tape and then transformed using simple editing techniques such as cutting and re-assembling, playing backwards, slowing down and speeding up.
What is a plainchant?
Songs have Latin text and are sung both unaccompanied and in unison. Plainchant has no regular metre (set beats in a bar) the chant follows the natural rhythm of the text with many of the individual syllables having their own musical note.
What is a mass?
The Mass is a sacred choral work traditionally using the five main sections. Features of the Mass include Latin text and polyphonic texture. The first masses composed during the Rennaissance period would have been sung A cappella.
What is meant by string quartet?
A chamber music ensemble made up of two violins, one viola and one cello. These ensembles grew in popularity throughout the classical period.
What is a recitative?
A type of vocal writing where the music follows the rhythm of speech, used in operas and oratorios. A recitative is usually a short section for solo voice with sparse accompaniment. Its purpose is to move the story along.
What is chamber music?
Originally these forms were performed in homes and mainly by amateur musicians – space was limited, therefore this music was written for a small instrumental ensemble with one player to a part.
What is meant by jazz funk?
It is the merging of traditional Jazz characteristics with electronic instruments requiring electronic amplification.
What is soul music?
A combination of gospel, blues and country music, and its gritty sound reflected what was happening socially in America at that time.
