Todd Terms (Midterm)

Question 1

Monophony

Answer 1

A type of music with a single melodic line, as opposed to polyphony

Question 2

Polyphony

Answer 2

A texture in which two or more independent musical lines are contraposed

Question 3

Counterpoint

Answer 3

The art of setting separate musical lines against each other (I.e. to be set “in counterpoint” against another part)

Question 4

Organum

Answer 4

Early medieval polyphony in which a freely composed part or parts are added to a preexisting plainchant

Question 5

Melisma

Answer 5

Several notes sung to one syllable of text

Question 6

Cantus firmus

Answer 6

In medieval and Renaissance music, a borrowed melody, such as a plainchant or tune, used as the basis of polyphonic compositions

Question 7

Word-painting

Answer 7

A musical illustration of a word or phrase by means of a rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic motive or figure

Question 8

Protestant Reformation

Answer 8

A movement in 16th century Europe to challenge and reform the Roman Catholic Church

Question 9

English madrigal

Answer 9

A secular vocal work with English text popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries

Question 10

Aria

Answer 10

A movement in an opera, oratorio, or cantata for solo voice and orchestra

Question 11

Recitative

Answer 11

A type of vocal style intended to approximate the natural inflections of speech, used especially in operas, oratorios, and cantatas

Question 12

Ritornello

Answer 12

In Baroque music, a kind of musical refrain, especially the opening section of a concerto or an aria

Question 13

Basso continuo

Answer 13

A practice of musical accompaniment developed during the Baroque period; a bass line is provided with figures indicating chords to be performed above the bass line

Question 14

Sonata

Answer 14

An instrumental composition in several movements. In the Baroque period, typically performed by 1 or 2 treble melody instruments and a basso continuo. In Classical period, generally 1 or 2 instruments.