texture/structure/form

Question 1

basso continuo

Answer 1

in the baroque period, the basso continuo consists of a single bass line (a cello) with a keyboard part (harpsichord) filling in the harmonies, the bass continuo supports one or more melody lines

Question 2

concerto grosso

Answer 2

a small group of solo (concertino) contrasts with a larger group of instrumentalists (ripieno), the concerto grosso developed in the baroque period

Question 3

da capo aria

Answer 3

an aria in ternary form used in opera and oratorio, the third section was not written out and was often ornamented

Question 4

exposition

Answer 4

the first section of a movement in sonata form

Question 5

passacaglia

Answer 5

variations over a ground bass, baroque

Question 6

ritornello

Answer 6

a theme which returns frequently throughout a piece, in a concerto grosso, the ritornello is the main, recurring theme played by the ripieno, the ritornello may return frequently throughout the movement

Question 7

sonata form

Answer 7

a form used for the first movement of a sonata or symphony, it consists of three sections: exposition, development, recapitulation

Question 8

subject

Answer 8

the main theme in a composition, the main themes in sonata form

Question 9

through-composed

Answer 9

a vocal piece in which there is little or no repetition of the music