Ch 7 Music

Front 1

The Art of the Fugue

Back 1

a collection of Bach music written for organ. Every piece uses the same tune. All method of contrapuntal composition are used (counterpoint) This is a monumental achievement in Western Music and Culture

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cadenza

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a showy passage for the soloist appearing near the end of the movement in a concerto. It usually incorporates rapid runs, arpeggios, and snippets of previously heard themes into a fantasy-like improvisation

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cantata

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a term originally meaning "something sung" In its mature state it consists of several movements, including one or more arias, ariosos, and recitative. Cantatas can be on secular subjects by thos of Bach are mostly sacred content.
ex: handel's "Messiah"

Front 4

chorale

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the German word for the humn of the Luteran church, hence a simple religious melody to be sung by the congregation. Bach based his cantatas on chorale tunes.

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da capo aria

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an aria in two sections with an obligatory return to and repeat of the first, hence an aria is ternary form (ABA)

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Dance suite

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a collection of instrumental dances, each with its own distinctive rhythm and character. (evolved from sonata da camera)

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episode

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within a fugue genre, a passage of free, non-imatative counterpoint.

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exposition

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in a fugue, the opening section, in which each voice in turn has his opportunity to present the subject (term is defined differently in classical period)

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figured bass

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in musical notation, a numerical shorthand that tells the player which unwritten notes to fill in above the written bass note.

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fugue

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a composition for three, four or five parts played or sung by voices or instruments, which begins with a presentation of a subject in imitation in each part and continues with modulating (key changing) passages of free counterpoint and further appearances of the subject (main musical theme)

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opera seria

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a genre of opera that dominated the stage during the Baroque era, making use of serious historical or mythological subjects, da capa arias, and a lengthy overture.

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oratorio

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a large scale vocal genre of sacred music involving an overture, arias, recitatives, and choruses, but sung whether in a theater or a church without costumes or scenery. very much like opera compositionally.

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pedal point

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a note, usually in the bass, sustained to continutally repeat for a period of time while the harmonies change around it

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prelude

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an introductory improvisatory like movement that gives the performer a chance to "warm up" and sets the stage for a more substantive subsequent movement.

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subject

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the term for the principle theme of a fugue

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The Well-Tempered Clavier

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a collection of music by Bach for the harpsicord that consists of two sets of 24 preludes and fugues. each key =12 major keys, 12 minor keys