Texture/Structure/Form Flashcards
Answer (AH)
In a fugue it is the same melody as the first subject but at a higher or lower pitch (usually in the dominant)
A real answer plays the subject using exactly the same intervals
A tonal answer plays the subject using slightly different intervals depending on the key/harmony at that time
Antiphonal (AH)
Performed by two choirs in interaction, often singing alternate musical phrases
One group of voices or instruments answers another
The ‘old school’ version of call and response
Bridge (AH)
A link between two themes
A short passage leading from one subject to another
Sometimes used for key changes
Common in sonata form
Countersubject (AH)
In a fugue, once the subject has been played, the first voice to enter will continue by playing a continuation of the melody called a countersubject
Fugue (AH)
A contrapuntal composition based on a theme
Usually written in four parts (voices)
The theme (subject) is announced in one voice part alone, then imitated by other voices in close succession
Leitmotif (AH)
A short musical theme, like a signature tune, associated with a particular character or plot element
Common in Romantic and film music
Song cycle (AH)
A group, or cycle, of individually complete songs designed to be performed in a sequence as a unit
They are linked by a common theme or text
Can be solo songs or songs for choir
Usually accompanied by piano but sometimes by small ensembles or full orchestra
E.g. collections of Lieder
Stretto (AH)
In a fugue, when the subject enters rapidly in one voice after the other
Sounds busy and frantic
Often used to build to a climax just before the end of the fugue
Subject (AH)
The main theme in a composition
The main theme in sonata form
The main theme on which a fugue is based
Basso continuo (H)
The name for a bass line in the Baroque period
Consists of a single base line (e.g. cello) with a keyboard part (e.g. harpsichord) filling in the harmonies
Concerto grosso (H)
Work from the Baroque period
A small group of soloists (concertino) is accompanied by an orchestra (ripieno)
Da capo aria (H)
An aria in ternary form
Used in opera and oratorio
Exposition (H)
The first section of a movement in sonata form
Passacaglia (H)
Variations over a ground bass
There are usually three beats in a bar
Ritornello (H)
Instrumental introduction to a vocal composition
Instrumental passage between scenes in a Baroque opera
In a concerto grosso, it is played by the ripieno
Sonata form (H)
Exposition: two subjects in related keys
Development
Recapitulation: the two subjects return, this time both in the opening key
Subject (H)
The main theme in a composition
The main theme in sonata form
The main theme on which a fugue is based
Through-composed (H)
A vocal piece in which there is little or no repetition of the music
Binary (N5)
The music is made up of two different sections labelled A and B
It can also be called AB form
Rondo (N5)
A form where the first section keeps returning in between different sections
Can also be called ABACA form
Alberti bass (N5)
Broken chord accompaniment in the bass
Often played on a keyboard instrument
Pattern is bottom, top, middle, top
Common in the classical period
Coda (N5)
A passage at the end of a piece which finished it off
Episode (N5)
A passage that links two important ideas
Ground bass (N5)
A theme in the bass that is repeated many times while the upper parts are varied
Homophonic (N5)
Melody with accompaniment or
All the parts move together rhythmically
Polyphonic (N5) / Contrapuntal (N5)
Two or more melody lines, possibly of equal importance, weaving independently of each other
Strophic (N5)
Music in verse or verse/chorus form
Common in hymns and more popular styles
Walking bass (N5)
Moving bass line with notes usually of the same value
Often found in jazz styles
Cadenza (N4)
Showy passage for a soloist alone in a concerto
Canon (N4) / Round (N3)
Each part has the same melody
Parts enter one after the other
Canon is the same as round
Imitation (N4)
The melody is immediately copied in another part
Middle eight (N4)
A section which provides contrast to the opening section
Often eight bars long
Used in popular music
Ternary (N4)
A three part form: section one, section two then back to section one
Can also be called ABA form
Theme and variation (N4)
The melody (theme) is heard then returns several times with variations
Verse and chorus (N4)
Alternating between verse and chorus
The verse normally has the same music but different words each time it is heard
The chorus is normally identical each time
Many songs use this form
Harmony (N3)
Two parts sounding different notes
Ostinato (N3) / Riff (N3)
A short repeated pattern
Solo (N3)
One instrument or voice
Unison (N3)
Two players or singers sounding the same notes at the same time
