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40 Cards in this Set

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Opera

A long, dramatic musical presentation for singers and orchestra making use of costumes, sets, scenery, lighting, and stage actions. Essentially, a play sung by actors portraying characters on a stage in a theater; normally sung throughout thus trading some sense of reality for the greater emotional power of music. Usually secular and based on stories of love or mythology.

Oratorio

A dramatic musical presentation for singers and orchestra based on a theme or text from scripture (usually, but not always from the Old Testament). Presented in a concert hall as a musical performance, not a theatrical performance. No costumes, scenery, staging or acting. Sacred

Passion

Basically an oratorio with a specific theme – the suffering and death of Christ. Sacred. Most popular during Lent

Recitative

Sung conversation, sung dialogue. Speech-like singing style with little repetition of words and sparse accompaniment. Loose rhythm. Mostly syllabic. Speech-like singing whose purpose is to tell the story. Moves the plot forward. Used in all four vocal forms, but most prevalent in opera.

Aria

A long, expressive song that normally doesn’t say much about the story but will emphasize an emotion brought about by the plot, beauty of the voices and extraordinary ability of the singers. Difficult to sing, much repetition of words, lots of melismatic singing. Usually follows ABA form (Da Capo – “back to the top”). Accompaniment is very thick and important, unlike recitative. Very definite rhythm. Used in all four vocal forms

Chorus

Sections of the work that involve large groups of singers (12-250+). Usually blockbuster moments. Used frequently in Oratorios, Passions, and Cantatas; used less often in Opera

Sonata

A multi-movement work for one solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment (most commonly the harpsichord).

Concerto

A work for one solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment in THREE MOVEMENTS that follow a tempo pattern of FAST-SLOW-FAST.

Suite

A series of movements based upon various types of popular dance music. Played by an orchestra, chamber ensemble or solo keyboard instrument. Although based upon dance music, suites were NEVER intended for dancing, but instead were intended simply to be listened to as concert music. Popular dance styles included: minuet, gigue, allemande, sarabande, bourree, courante, gavotte

Concerto Grosso

A work written for a small group of solo instruments with orchestra following a three movement plan with a tempo pattern of FAST-SLOW-FAST. It was a small orchestra consisting of 12-16 instruments. This ensemble is divided into 3 specific sections:

Continuo

the harpsichord, which plays continuously (hence “continuo”) and fills in parts where needed while acting as the time keeper, keeping the ensemble together as a group.

Ripieno

larger group of string instruments (6-10 violins, violas and cellos)

Concertino

small group of solo instruments (3-6 instruments) usually a combination of flute, oboe, recorder, trumpet, or violin.

Harpsichord

A coffin shaped instrument with a small sound because the strings are plucked. The use of this instrument is a tell tale sign of Baroque music. Used in concert halls.

Organ

Huge complex instrument which creates its sound by forcing air through pipes of different sizes. Used in church, many times incorporated into the design of the building.

Clavichord

(not previously discussed) a smaller keyboard instrument used extensively in peoples’ homes. The keys cause small pieces of metal (tangent) press against the string giving a soft sound. Not normally used for ensemble playing.

Polyphonic

A harmonic concept where each voice part is assigned a “melody” of equal interest and importance. Often described as giving a horizontal flow to the harmony.

Homophonic

a harmonic concept which includes a melodic line of primary interest which is accompanied by harmony of secondary interest. The harmony is based upon chords and chord progressions. Sometimes described as a vertical approach to harmony.

Fugue

A polyphonic work that can be performed vocally or instrumentally, but is most often heard on the PIPE ORGAN during the Baroque era. Fugue consists of a SUBJECT (basic melody/theme, the main idea) and countersubjects that are added in contrast to the subject. Each “part” of the harmony is called a voice regardless of whether it is sung or played on an instrument. 4 voice fugues were the most common. Fugues are incredibly strict in rhythm, as every voice in the fugue has to line up perfectly with the others. Due to the strict nature of fugues, they were often preceded by a section that was more free in form and rhythm and allowed for improvisation: PRELUDE, TOCCATA, and FANTASIA.

Chorale

a homophonic hymn intended to be sung during the church service by the congregation and accompanied normally accompanied by organ.

A long, dramatic musical presentation for singers and orchestra making use of costumes, sets, scenery, lighting, and stage actions. Essentially, a play sung by actors portraying characters on a stage in a theater; normally sung throughout thus trading some sense of reality for the greater emotional power of music. Usually secular and based on stories of love or mythology.

Opera

A dramatic musical presentation for singers and orchestra based on a theme or text from scripture (usually, but not always from the Old Testament). Presented in a concert hall as a musical performance, not a theatrical performance. No costumes, scenery, staging or acting. Sacred

Oratorio

Basically an oratorio with a specific theme – the suffering and death of Christ. Sacred. Most popular during Lent

Passion

Sung conversation, sung dialogue. Speech-like singing style with little repetition of words and sparse accompaniment. Loose rhythm. Mostly syllabic. Speech-like singing whose purpose is to tell the story. Moves the plot forward. Used in all four vocal forms, but most prevalent in opera.

Recitative

A long, expressive song that normally doesn’t say much about the story but will emphasize an emotion brought about by the plot, beauty of the voices and extraordinary ability of the singers. Difficult to sing, much repetition of words, lots of melismatic singing. Usually follows ABA form (Da Capo – “back to the top”). Accompaniment is very thick and important, unlike recitative. Very definite rhythm. Used in all four vocal forms

Aria

Sections of the work that involve large groups of singers (12-250+). Usually blockbuster moments. Used frequently in Oratorios, Passions, and Cantatas; used less often in Opera

Chorus

A multi-movement work for one solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment (most commonly the harpsichord).

Sonata

A work for one solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment in THREE MOVEMENTS that follow a tempo pattern of FAST-SLOW-FAST.

Concerto

A series of movements based upon various types of popular dance music. Played by an orchestra, chamber ensemble or solo keyboard instrument. Although based upon dance music, suites were NEVER intended for dancing, but instead were intended simply to be listened to as concert music. Popular dance styles included: minuet, gigue, allemande, sarabande, bourree, courante, gavotte

Suite

A work written for a small group of solo instruments with orchestra following a three movement plan with a tempo pattern of FAST-SLOW-FAST. It was a small orchestra consisting of 12-16 instruments. This ensemble is divided into 3 specific sections:

Concerto Grosso

the harpsichord, which plays continuously (hence “continuo”) and fills in parts where needed while acting as the time keeper, keeping the ensemble together as a group.

Continuo

larger group of string instruments (6-10 violins, violas and cellos)

Ripieno

small group of solo instruments (3-6 instruments) usually a combination of flute, oboe, recorder, trumpet, or violin.

Concertino

A coffin shaped instrument with a small sound because the strings are plucked. The use of this instrument is a tell tale sign of Baroque music. Used in concert halls.

Harpsichord

Huge complex instrument which creates its sound by forcing air through pipes of different sizes. Used in church, many times incorporated into the design of the building.

Organ

(not previously discussed) a smaller keyboard instrument used extensively in peoples’ homes. The keys cause small pieces of metal (tangent) press against the string giving a soft sound. Not normally used for ensemble playing.

Clavichord

A harmonic concept where each voice part is assigned a “melody” of equal interest and importance. Often described as giving a horizontal flow to the harmony.

Polyphonic

a harmonic concept which includes a melodic line of primary interest which is accompanied by harmony of secondary interest. The harmony is based upon chords and chord progressions. Sometimes described as a vertical approach to harmony.

Homophonic

A polyphonic work that can be performed vocally or instrumentally, but is most often heard on the PIPE ORGAN during the Baroque era. Fugue consists of a SUBJECT (basic melody/theme, the main idea) and countersubjects that are added in contrast to the subject. Each “part” of the harmony is called a voice regardless of whether it is sung or played on an instrument. 4 voice fugues were the most common. Fugues are incredibly strict in rhythm, as every voice in the fugue has to line up perfectly with the others. Due to the strict nature of fugues, they were often preceded by a section that was more free in form and rhythm and allowed for improvisation: PRELUDE, TOCCATA, and FANTASIA.

Fugue

a homophonic hymn intended to be sung during the church service by the congregation and accompanied normally accompanied by organ.

Chorale