Texture/Structure/Form

Question 1

Answer (AH)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Antiphonal (AH)

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Bridge (AH)

Answer 3

A link between two themes
A short passage leading from one subject to another
Sometimes used for key changes
Common in sonata form

Question 4

Countersubject (AH)

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Fugue (AH)

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Leitmotif (AH)

Answer 6

A short musical theme, like a signature tune, associated with a particular character or plot element
Common in Romantic and film music

Question 7

Song cycle (AH)

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Stretto (AH)

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Subject (AH)

Answer 9

The main theme in a composition
The main theme in sonata form
The main theme on which a fugue is based

Question 10

Basso continuo (H)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Concerto grosso (H)

Answer 11

Work from the Baroque period

A small group of soloists (concertino) is accompanied by an orchestra (ripieno)

Question 12

Da capo aria (H)

Answer 12

An aria in ternary form

Used in opera and oratorio

Question 13

Exposition (H)

Answer 13

The first section of a movement in sonata form

Question 14

Passacaglia (H)

Answer 14

Variations over a ground bass

There are usually three beats in a bar

Question 15

Ritornello (H)

Answer 15

Instrumental introduction to a vocal composition
Instrumental passage between scenes in a Baroque opera
In a concerto grosso, it is played by the ripieno

Question 16

Sonata form (H)

Answer 16

Exposition: two subjects in related keys
Development
Recapitulation: the two subjects return, this time both in the opening key

Question 17

Subject (H)

Answer 17

The main theme in a composition
The main theme in sonata form
The main theme on which a fugue is based

Question 18

Through-composed (H)

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Binary (N5)

Answer 19

The music is made up of two different sections labelled A and B
It can also be called AB form

Question 20

Rondo (N5)

Answer 20

A form where the first section keeps returning in between different sections
Can also be called ABACA form

Question 21

Alberti bass (N5)

Answer 21

Broken chord accompaniment in the bass
Often played on a keyboard instrument
Pattern is bottom, top, middle, top
Common in the classical period

Question 22

Coda (N5)

Answer 22

A passage at the end of a piece which finished it off

Question 23

Episode (N5)

Answer 23

A passage that links two important ideas

Question 24

Ground bass (N5)

Answer 24

A theme in the bass that is repeated many times while the upper parts are varied

Question 25

Homophonic (N5)

Answer 25

Melody with accompaniment or

All the parts move together rhythmically

Question 26

Polyphonic (N5) / Contrapuntal (N5)

Answer 26

Two or more melody lines, possibly of equal importance, weaving independently of each other

Question 27

Strophic (N5)

Answer 27

Music in verse or verse/chorus form

Common in hymns and more popular styles

Question 28

Walking bass (N5)

Answer 28

Moving bass line with notes usually of the same value

Often found in jazz styles

Question 29

Cadenza (N4)

Answer 29

Showy passage for a soloist alone in a concerto

Question 30

Canon (N4) / Round (N3)

Answer 30

Each part has the same melody
Parts enter one after the other
Canon is the same as round

Question 31

Imitation (N4)

Answer 31

The melody is immediately copied in another part

Question 32

Middle eight (N4)

Answer 32

A section which provides contrast to the opening section
Often eight bars long
Used in popular music

Question 33

Ternary (N4)

Answer 33

A three part form: section one, section two then back to section one
Can also be called ABA form

Question 35

Theme and variation (N4)

Answer 35

The melody (theme) is heard then returns several times with variations

Question 35

Verse and chorus (N4)

Answer 35

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

Question 37

Harmony (N3)

Answer 37

Two parts sounding different notes

Question 38

Ostinato (N3) / Riff (N3)

Answer 38

A short repeated pattern

Question 38

Solo (N3)

Answer 38

One instrument or voice

Question 39

Unison (N3)

Answer 39

Two players or singers sounding the same notes at the same time