Terms Flashcards
from Greek for “law”; a strict type of polyphonic composition where each voice enters in succession with the same melody
Canon
a recurrent theme that functions as a refrain in Baroque compositions
Ritornello
a highly structured imitative contrapuntal composition where a single theme or subject prevails
Fugue
a Baroque orchestral work where the concertino is showcased
Concerto Grosso
a small group of soloists featured in a concerto grosso in the Baroque era
Concertino
the full orchestra in a Baroque concerto
Ripieno
a structure used in the first and third movements of Baroque concerto where the opening passage (ritornello) is re-stated throughout
Ritornello Form
a collection of stylized dances and other pieces in the same key that was written for a solo instrument of orchestral ensemble; 4 standard dances: allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue
Suite
a French term for “suite”
Ordre
a French term for “harpsichord”
Clavecin
a performance practice where notes that are written with equal values are performed with unequal values most often lengthening first note and shortening second
Notes Inégales
a French word for an ornament or embellishment
Agréments
a lively, triple-meter dance of English origin; originally associated with sailors
Hornpipe
a late 18th-century literary movement characterized by heightened emotionalism and relished tormented feelings
Sturm Und Drang
a multi-movement structure that emerged in the Classical era
Sonata Cycle
a formal structure used in the first movement of the sonata cycle, consisting of exposition, development and recapitulation
Sonata Form
in sonata form, the second theme is a transposed version of the first theme
Monothematic Exposition
a large-scale work based on serious subjects for soloists, chorus and orchestra, consisting of recitatives, arias, ensembles and choruses
Oratorio
a speech-like declamatory style of singing supported by instrumental ensemble or orchestra employed in opera, oratorio, and cantata
Recitativo Accompagnato
a multi-movement orchestral work usually in three movements (fast-slow-fast)
Concerto
a modified version of sonata form where orchestral exposition introduces the principle themes and establishes tonic key followed by the solo exposition
Double Exposition
a virtuosic, improvisatory, solo passage found in concertos and arias
Cadenza
a comic Italian opera sung throughout with no spoken dialogue
Opera Buffa
a musical number for three voices (characters)
Terzetto
a male character performed by soprano, mezzo-soprano or contralto
Trouser Role
an abbreviated sonata form with no development (contains exposition and recapitulation)
Modified Strophic Form
a formal structure where the opening section returns two or more times, separated by contrasting sections (ABACA or ABACABA); often used in sonata cycle
Rondo Form
an instrumental genre for one or two instruments generally with several contrasting movements
Sonata
music for small ensemble (2-10 players) with one player per part and usually performed without a conductor
Chamber Music
a chamber ensemble of the Classical era composed of the first violin, second violin, viola and cello; composition written for the ensemble, generally in 4 movements (fast-slow-medium-fast)
String Quartet
music consisting of a single line or melody with no harmony or accompaniment
Monophonic Texture
two or more independent melody lines (or voices) heard simultaneously; referred as contrapuntal texture
Polyphonic Texture
scale patterns distinguished by unique order of half and whole steps; referred to by Greek names (Dorian, Phrygian etc.)
Modes
the earliest notated symbols (originally indicates direction of dotted line - later shape of squares or diamonds) used in Western art music
Neumes
vocal music without instrumental accompaniment
A Cappella
a form of plainchant, sacred liturgical music of the Roman Catholic Church, generally with Latin texts and modal, monophonic melodies with unmeasured rhythm
Gregorian Chant
sometimes called “plainsong” with monophonic texture, modal melodies, relatively narrow melodic range and unmeasured prose rhythm
Plainchant
most important service in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church; includes prayers, Bible readings, reenactments, consists of texts that are variable (Proper) and texts that remain the same (Ordinary)
Mass
changing, variable prayers of the Mass that are linked to the church calendar with sections that include: Gradual, Introit, Communion, Alleluia
Mass Proper
the fourth sections of the Mass Proper with texts based primarily on the Psalms; generally melismatic and performed in responsorial style
Gradual (Mass Proper)
performance method where a solo voice (verse) alternates with choral passages (respond)
Responsorial Singing
an elaborate and florid style of text setting, with many notes sung on one syllable
Melismatic (Text Setting)
several notes (2-4) for a single syllable of text
Neumatic (Text Setting)
Syllabic (Text Setting)one note for a single syllable of text
Syllabic (Text Setting)
vocal music where one or more new melodic lines are added to an existing Gregorian chant, the earliest form of polyphony developing by Notre Dame School (early styles: perfect fourths, fifths, octaves - later more independent melodic parts and intervals)
Organum
“fixed song”, borrowed material which serves as the structural basis for a new polyphonic composition
Cantus Firmus
refers to the voice that contains the cantus firmus
Tenor
style of organum where the notes of the original chant are sung by a lower voice in long note values; “organum purum”
Organal Style
style of organum with more rhythmic movement of the cantus firmus; sometimes “note-against-note” movement between voices
Discant Style
an early part in evolution of rhythmic notation with 6 basic rhythmic patterns that provided rhythmic structure and kept two or more voices in rhythmic alignment when they were not moving note-against-note
Rhythmic Modes
sacred or secular vocal composition with or without instrumental accompaniment
Motet
characteristic feature of the 13th century motet where two or more texts are heard at the same time
Polytextuality
secular song with French text
Chanson
medieval aristocratic poet-musicians who lived in the North of France
Trouvère
song structure where the same music is performed for each verse of the poem
Strophic Form
a stately medieval couple’ dance involving elaborate and vigorous body movements
Estampie
simultaneous variation involving two or more voices or instruments playing the same melody in more than one way; one part plays melody, added voices are often improvised
Heterophony
French for “low”, indicating soft; a Medieval designation for indoor instruments
Bas
stringed instrument with wooden sound box; strings are struck with small hammers producing delicate
Dulcimer (Bas)
ancient stringed instrument with trapezoidal wooden sound box; plucked with fingers or plectrum
Psaltery (Bas)
a bowed string instrument, ancestor of the violin
Vielle (Bas)
Lute (Bas)plucked instrument of Middle Eastern origin with rounded body and frets
Lute (Bas)
French for “high” indicating loud; a Medieval designation for outdoor instruments
Haut
reed instrument with piercing tone; ancestor of oboe
Shawn (Haut)
brass instrument with a slide, ancestor of the trombone
Sackbut (Haut)
unchanging prayers of the Mass, whose components are: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
Mass Ordinary
style with greater complexity in melody, harmony, and rhythm and included use of isorhythm, hocket and musica ficta
Ars Nova Style
compositional device which combines melodic patterns (colour) with rhythmic patterns (talea)
Isorhythm
a performance practice applied in modal music where performers raised or lowered pitches by half a step to avoid undesirable intervals
Musica Ficta
a melodic line split between two voices, alternating notes and rests
Hocket
type of polyphony associated with Renaissance style “counterpoint” comes from Latin “note against note” and “imitation” refers to the passage of a motive or theme
Imitative Counterpoint
a series of thematic entries where a motive or theme is passed from one voice to another
Points of Imitation
in a multi-voiced composition, all the voices sing in the same rhythm; coupled with syllabic text setting which delivers the text clearly
Homorhythmic Texture
popular secular vocal genre based on relationship between poetry and music with vivid music painting
Madrigal
musical pictorialization employed in madrigals, operas, and oratorios where the music reflects the meaning of the text
Word Painting
melodies and harmonies that include notes within an octave in tonal or modal context; from Greek khroma (colour)
Chromaticism
Italian and English strophic song type generally in simple dance like style often including “fa-la-la” refrain
Ballett
syllables with no meaning such as “fa-la-la” or “nonny-nonny-no”
Nonsense Syllables
a work based on the statement of a melody (theme) followed by a series of transformations (variations)
Variations
compositional style that highlights the unique technical capabilities of an instrument
Idiomatic Writing
a generic term used for all plucked keyboard instruments in England; smaller and lighter than harpsichord
Virginal
Harpsichorda popular Baroque keyboard instrument in which small quills pluck the strings
Harpsichord
a Baroque performance practice, generally involving 2 performers: one playing the notated bass line and one realized the harmonies indicated by the figured bass
Basso Continuo
a type of musical shorthand developed in the Baroque era; numbers placed below bass line to show harmonic progression - provides structure for guided improvisation
Figured Bass
a Baroque philosophy inspired by ancient Greek and Roman writers and orators referring to emotional state of soul; vocal music depicted emotions of text or dramatic situation
The “Affections” (Affects)
two part form (A ll B ll) where section A generally ends with an open cadence in dominant or relative Major key; both parts often repeat
Binary Form
two part form (A ll B + A1 ll) where material from section A returns within section B
Rounded Binary Form
three part form (A ll B ll A) where section A ends with closed cadence and section B creates contrast
Ternary Form
drama that is sung, combining vocal and instrument music with drama, visual arts and often dance; components include recitative, arias, ensembles and choruses
Opera
the text of an opera, oratorio or cantata
Libretto
a style of a single vocal melody with simple instrumental accompaniment (one song)
Monody
a recitative-like melody moving freely over a foundation of simple chords meant to heighten emotional power of text
Stile Rappresentativo
male soprano or alto voice
Castrato
a speech-like, declamatory style of singing supported only by continuo; employed in opera, oratorio and cantata
Recitativo Secco
a highly emotional and virtuosic solo song with accompaniment in an opera, oratorio or cantata
Aria
a Baroque compositional device consisting of continuous repetition of a short melody over which variations occur
Ground Bass
opera that is sung throughout and generally based on historical or mythological subjects
Opera Seria
the most common type of aria in Baroque opera and oratorio employing ternary structure and ornamented return of section A
Da Capo Aria
a sacred or secular multi-movement choral work consisting of recitatives, arias, ensembles, and choruses, formed part of the Lutheran Church service
Cantata
a hymn tune intended for congregational singing that harmonized for four voices
Chorale
