Western classical Flashcards
BAOQUE
What is a basso continuo or continuo?(3)
- bassoon/cello play bass line
- along with the harpsichord
- organ for the continuo
BAROQUE
What notation is figure bass?
consisted of numbers written below the bass line
BAROQUE
why is the harpsichord played at the front of the orchestra?
Because it directed the orchestra and they could all see it
Name 3 composers in the Baroque period
J.C.Bach
Vivaldi
Handel
What period is Baroque?
1600-1750
BAROQUE
Give the tempo, metre and features of the following:
Allemande Courante Sarabande Minuet Gigue
Allemande- Moderate- 4/4- stately character
Courante- Fast- 3/4- lively/ dotted rhythms
Sarabande- Slow- 3/2- decorated/trills/serious
Minuet- moderate- 3/4- elegant
Gigue- fast- 6/8- jig/lively/irish folk
BAROQUE
What does a ground bass piece usually start on?
Bass line on its own!
BAROQUE
what are the 4 properties of Ground bass?
- Repeated melodic patterns (ostinato)
- Commonly played on cello or organ
- new layers are added gradually
- famous piece- Pachelbels canon
What is a fugue?(3)
- One tune performed
- Then answered using the same tune a fifth higher/ fourth lower
- Then imitated by 2 or more voices
what is a concerto grosso?(2)
- Group of soloists( concertante)
- Played with an orchestra (ripieno)
what is a solo concerto?
one soloist played with an orchestra
What is a sonata?(2)
- Solo instruments accompanied by the cello and harpsichord
- 3 or 4 contrasting movements (mini pieces)
What are small groups of instruments called?
Concertino/ concertante
what does tutti mean?
All or everyone
What does ritornello mean?
little return
What is a lute?(4)
- string family
- frets
- plucked
has a sound box - forerunner to a guitar
What is a cadenza?(3)
- virtuoso solo
- inserted into a movement in a concerto or other musical work
- typically near the end.
Name 4 classical composers
Hayden
Beethoven
Mozart
Schubert
What are the main differences between baroque and classical music?(2)
- The harpsichord that led the audience has changed to a conductor
- classical is highly decorated with trills etc
What is the classical style galant?
Courtly style aimed to chiefly please the listener
What voices are these: Soprano Treble Mezzo Soprano Counter-tenor
Soprano- High female voice
Treble- Boys high unbroken voice
Mezzo Soprano- Medium high female voice
Counter-tenor- male alto or soprano (falsetto0
What voices are these: Alto Tenor baritone Bass
Alto- High male or low female
Tenor- high male voice
baritone- medium male voice
Bass- lowest male voice
VOICES
What is Syllabic and Melismatic?
Syllabic- One note per syllable
Melismatic- multiple notes per syllable
VOICES
What is vibrato?
A rich wobble in the voice
LIED
What does lied mean?
German for song
VOICES
What is a madrigal?
A piece of music that was written for voice
VOICES
What is a refrain?
Another word for chorus
VOICES
What is imitation?
Repetition of a phrase or melody often in differed pitches or keys
VOICES
Define sacred and Secular
Sacred- religious. words in the song about religion
Secular- non religious. words in song are not about religion
FOLK
name 5 instruments in folk music
Tin Whistle Northumbrian pipes accordion fiddle banjo
VOICES
Give the differences between Opera and Oratorio
Opera
- Not religious
- Acting/dancing on stage
Oratorio
- Has a conductor
- younger singers
- they have visual scores
OPERA
Define Recitative
Simple chords whilst spoken singing
OPERA
What is the text of an opera called?
Libretto
OPERA
define Aria
solo song
What does D.C mean and its definition
Da Capo
Whole part of the first section of the song to be repeated at the end of the movement
What a piano trio contain?
Piano
Violin
Cello
What does a string quintet(5) contain?
2 violins
viola
cello
double bass
what does a piano quintet(5) contain?
piano
2 violins
viola
cello
What does a string quartet contain?
2 violins
viola
cello
What does a wind quintet(5) contain?
flute oboe clarinet bassoon horn
What does a piano quartet contain?
piano
violin
viola
cello
What does a string trio contain?
violin
viola
cello
what does a string sextet contain?
2 violins
2 violas
2 cellos
What is Chamber music?
Music composed for a small group of solo musicians
CHAMBER What tempo mood/character and form/tonality is in movement: 1 2 3 4
1- fast/ allegro- happy- sonata form
2- adagio/slow- relaxed- sonata in a different key
3- allegro/ fast- fun 3/4- Minuet and trio
4 presto very fast happy- rondo form
What is da capo aria?
An aria is a song with a solo singer and Accompaniment! ABA
