Texture/Structure/Form Flashcards
Basso continuo
In the Baroque period, the basso continuo consists of a single bass line (eg. A cello) with a keyboard part (eg. A harpsichord) filling in the harmonies. The basso continuo supports one or more melody lines.
Concerto gross
A small group of soloists (concertino) contrasts with a larger group of instrumentalists (ripieno). The concerto grosso developed in the Baroque period.
Da capo aria
An aria in ternary form used in opera and oratorio. The 3rd section was not written out and was often ornamented.
Exposition
The first section of movement in sonata form.
Passacaglia
Variations over a ground bass.
Ritornello
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.
Sonata form
A form used for the first movement of a sonata or symphony. It consists of three sections:
• Exposition - 2 contrasting groups in related keys
• Development
• Recapitulation - 2 contrasting subject groups return but in the same key as the opening
Subject
The main theme in a composition, the main themes in sonata form, or the main theme on which a fugue is based.
Through-composed
A vocal piece in which there is little or no repetition of the music.
Ostinato
A short repeated pattern.
Cadenza
A showy passage for soloist alone in a concerto grosso.
Imitation
The melody is immediately copied in another part.
Alberti bass
Broken chord accompaniment in the bass, often used in keyboard music.
Contrapuntal
A texture which consists of two or more independent melodic lines. It’s similar to polyphonic.
Ground bass
A theme in the bass which is repeated many times while the upper parts are varied.
