Styles/Forms Flashcards
hymn tune
a simple melody used in the church
oratorio
a musical setting of a biblical story featuring vocals and orchestra (English)
recitative
singing to imitate speech
da capo aria
aria where the first section returns (is repeated)
plainchant
latin church song which is unaccompanied and in unison. also has no regular meter
mass
from the Renaissance period. a large scale choral work in latin with a polyphonic texture. usually acapella (listen for Gloria, Benedictus, etc.)
anthem
short sacred choral work sung in english. can be unaccompanied or accompanied by organ
madrigal
polyphonic vocal composition
ballett
madrigal with “fa la la” chorus
passion
oratorio about the crucifixion sung in German
chorale
german hymn tune with SATB parts. usually homophonic
lied
solo voice in german accompanied by piano
sonata
A composition for solo instrument (usually piano), or
a composition for a solo instrument accompanied by piano
concerto
a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra
concerto grosso
from the baroque period, a smaller group of solo instruments (concertino) accompanied by a larger orchestra (ripieno)
fugue
contrapuntal featuring a subject which is imitated by many parts
chorale prelude
an extended work for organ based on a chorale
symphony
large work for an orchestra in four movements
air
a song or simple melody
chaconne
a slow vocal or instrumental composition with three beats in a bar and ground bass
passacaglia
variations over a ground bass
bothy ballad
a folk song with many verses, which tells a story of farming life. Usually unaccompanied, sung solo by a man,
gaelic psalms
unaccompanied songs sung in Gaelic. lead by one member of the congregation
mouth music
gaelic nonsense singing
scots ballad
A Scottish song which tells a story in strophic form
waulking song
gaelic work song sung by women
strathspey
scottish dance with four beats in a bard and a scotch snap
pibroch
solo work for bagpipes
slow air
slow traditional song played on fiddle or bagpipes
