History 2: Terms, Genres, & Instruments

Front 1

Tremolo

Back 1

Rapid alternation between 2 notes or between notes of a chord.

RW: Pathetique Sonata 1st mvmnt

Front 2

Ritornello

Back 2

A recurring theme that functions as a refrain in a Baroque composition.

RW: Brandenburg concerto

Front 3

Binary Form

Back 3

AB (two part form)

Front 4

Organum

Back 4

Earliest form of Polyphonic in which a new melodic line is added to an existing Gregorian chant

Began as improvised practice with parallel lines added to chant melodies. Harmonies emphasized perfect 4, 5, and octaves.

Later developed by Notre Dame school with wider variety of intervals and rhythms.

RW: Haec Dies (Organum)

Front 5

Polytextual Motet

Back 5

Polyphonic vocal works with 2 or more texts heard simultaneously. Bottom voice usually contained a cantus firmus

RW: O Mitissima / Virgo / Haec dies

Front 6

Continuous Imitation

Back 6

A type of polyphony in which a motive or theme is passed from one voice to another.

RW: Fair Phyllis

Front 7

Homorhythmic Texture

Back 7

A type of polyphony in which all voices sing the same rhythm resulting in a chordal texture

RW: Missa Papae Marcelli

Front 8

Three types of text settings

Back 8

Syllabic

Neumatic

Melismatic

Front 9

Tenor in Middle Ages

Back 9

In a Polyphonic composition it refers to the voice that contains the cantus firmus

RW: Haec Dies (Organum)

Front 10

Syllabic Text Setting

Back 10

One note for each syllable of text

RW: O Mitissima...

Front 11

Responsorial Singing

Back 11

A method of performance in which solo voice alternates with a chorus.

RW: Haec Dies

Front 12

Polyphonic Texture

Back 12

Two or more independent melodic lines heard simultaneously.

RW: Haec Dies (Organum

Front 13

Cantus Firmus

Back 13

Latin: fixed song

Borrowed material, often from a Gregorian chant, that serves as a structural skeleton for a new Polyphonic composition

Front 14

Clausulae (Organum style)

Back 14

Section within discant style based on a single word or syllable, highly melismatic

Front 15

Discant (Organum style)

Back 15

Sections of Organum in which the original chant had faster rhythmic values than the other voices.

Front 16

Recorder

Back 16

Medieval bas wind instrument

End-blown with finger holes

Front 17

Regal

Back 17

14th c. Portable organ with reeds instead of pipes. Played by pumping bellows w left hand and playing keyboard with right. Carried by means of a neck strap

Front 18

Sackbut

Back 18

Medieval ancestor of the trombone

Front 19

Shawm

Back 19

Medieval ancestor of the oboe

Front 20

Tabor

Back 20

Medieval large cylindrical drum

Front 21

Tambourine

Back 21

Medieval percussion instrument with metal discs

Front 22

Vielle

Back 22

Medieval ancestor of the violin

Front 23

Viola de Gamba

Back 23

Renaissance member of the viol family. Fretted like a guitar and played btw legs like a modern cello

Front 24

Viols

Back 24

Renaissance family of bowed stringed instruments

Front 25

Virginal

Back 25

Renaissance plucked keyboard instrument

Front 26

Neumatic text setting

Back 26

2-4 notes per syllable

Front 27

Melismatic text setting

Back 27

Many notes per syllable - most elaborate and florid

Front 28

Heterophonic Texture

Back 28

Simultaneous variation, where the same melody is played in more than one way at the same time

RW: Royal Estampie No. 4

Front 29

Monophonic texture

Back 29

Music without Harmony or accompaniment.

RW: Haec Dies

Front 30

Organal style of organum

Back 30

Newly composed upper voice uses faster note values.

Front 31

Oratorio

Back 31

Large scale vocal work, generally based on sacred subjects. Performed in concert setting without costume, scenery, or acting.

RW: The Creation

Front 32

Chorale

Back 32

Hymn tune associated with the Lutheran Church

RW: Cantata no. 80

Front 33

Cantata

Back 33

Multi-movement vocal work performed as part of the Lutheran Church service in the 18th c.

RW: Cantata no. 80

Front 34

Gradual

Back 34

4th section of the Mass Proper

RW: Haec dies

Front 35

Mass Ordinary

Back 35

Components/prayers of the Mass that do not vary.

1. Kyrie

2. Gloria

3. Credo

4. Sanctus

5. Agnus Dei

Front 36

Mass Proper

Back 36

Components (chants and prayers) of the Mass that vary depending on the liturgical occasion

1. Indroit

2. Offertory

3. Communion

4. Gradual

Front 37

Motet

Back 37

Vocal composition with or without indturumental accompaniment. Can be sacred or secular. Usually polytextual in 13th c.

RW: O Mitissima...

Front 38

Clavier

Back 38

German word for Baroque keyboard instrument

Front 39

Clavichord

Back 39

Small rectangular keyboard instrument, Baroque era.

Front 40

Concertino

Back 40

The small group of solo instruments featured in a concerto grosso in the Baroque era.

RW: Brandenburg concerto

Front 41

Harpsichord

Back 41

Baroque keyboard instrument with small quills inside that pluck the strings

Front 42

Oboe da caccia

Back 42

Alto oboe

Front 43

Oboe d'amore

Back 43

Mezzo-Soprano oboe

Front 44

Chamber Music

Back 44

Music for a small ensemble, 1 player per part. Usually no conductor

RW: Piano Quintet in A major ("trout")

Front 45

Piano Concerto

Back 45

A solo concerto for piano and orchestra. In classical era, 3 movements (fast slow fast) with a cadenza. First movement usually in sonata form with a double exposition

RW: Piano Concerto in G major

Front 46

Symphony

Back 46

Multi-movement orchestral work, generally with 4 contrasting movements.

RW: Symphony in D major ("London")

Front 47

String Quartet

Back 47

Chamber music for a string ensemble: 2 violins, viola, cello.

RW: Piano Quintet in A major ("trout") - although this has different instrumentation.

Front 48

Madrigal

Back 48

Renaissance song for several voices, usually with elaborate counterpoint and without instrumental accompaniment.

Often utilized word painting. Italian versions were through-composed in structure, with frequent chromaticism

RW: Moro Lasso al mio duolo

Front 49

English Madrigal

Back 49

Resemble Italian Madrigals, but often with pastoral texts and nonsense syllables.

RW: Fair Phyllis

Front 50

Monophonic Chanson

Back 50

Medieval Secular music composed by trouveres/troubadours. Usually in strophic form with improvised instrumental accompaniment.

RW: ce fut en mai

Front 51

Polyphonic Chanson

Back 51

Medieval secular vocal music for two or more voices. 14th c.

RW: Puis Qu'en oubli

Front 52

Opera

Back 52

A dramatic work featuring song, characters, costume, scenery. Most forms (but not all) are sung throughout with no spoken dialogue. Drama presented through music.

Components include arias, recitatives, ensembles and choruses.

Brings together art, music, literature, and dance

RW: Coronation of Poppea

Front 53

Mass

Back 53

Most important service in the Roman Catholic Liturgy. Includes prayers, Bible readings, chants.

RW: Missa Papae Marcelli

Front 54

Taille

Back 54

Tenor oboe

Front 55

Estampie

Back 55

Medieval dance: slow and stately involving elaborate body movements. Danced by couples.

RW: Royal Estampie no. 4

Front 56

Haut

Back 56

Medieval: high (volume); instruments played outdoors: Shawm, sackbut, Cornetto, crumhorn

Front 57

Consort of Instruments

Back 57

Renaissance for an instrumental ensemble. Could be whole (all from one family) or broken (mixed)

Front 58

Pavane

Back 58

Renaissance dance. Slow & stately. Danced by a line of couples.

RW: Mille Regretz

Front 59

Ordre

Back 59

Set of Baroque dances, generally all in the same key:

Allemande

Courante

Sarabande

Gigue

Optional: menuet, gavotte, bouree, aria

RW: la poule (Rameau)

Front 60

Hornpipe

Back 60

Dance music associated with sailors. Lively, in triple meter.

RW: Water music suite in D major

Front 61

Gravicembalo

Back 61

Italian term for harpsichord

Front 62

15th c. Motet

Back 62

Renaissance sacred music; Polyphonic, usually for 4 voices, with imitative counterpoint contrasted with homorhythmic sections.

RW: Ave Maria, Virgo Serena...

Front 63

Positive organ

Back 63

Medieval organ; one keyboard, no pedals, small pipes. Larger than portative, but still portable.

Front 64

Psaltery

Back 64

Medieval stringed instrument with gut strings, plucked. Indoors

Front 65

Rebec

Back 65

Medieval stringed instrument; bowed, played on arm or under chin.

Front 66

Recitativo Accomoagnato

Back 66

Recitative accompanied by the orchestra

RW: The Creation, "In splendor bright"

Front 67

Singspiel

Back 67

German comic opera, contains spoken dialogue

Front 68

Terzetto

Back 68

Italian for Trio (musical number for 3 voices)

RW: "Costa Sento!" from The Marriage of Figaro

Front 69

Trouser Role

Back 69

A male role played by a female

RW: Cherubino from The Marriage of Figaro

Front 70

Overture

Back 70

An orchestral work preceding an opera or Oratorio. Frequently in sonata form

Front 71

Stile rappresentativo

Back 71

Monodic style: Recitative-like melody moving freely over a foundation of simple chords.

Front 72

Stile Concitato

Back 72

Vocal tremolo. Term used by Monteverdi to express "the hidden tremors of the soul"

RW: "a te a te Sovrana Augusta" from The Coronation of Poppea

Front 73

Recitativo Secco

Back 73

Recitative accompanied only by the continuo

RW: thy Hand Belinda

Front 74

Recitative

Back 74

Speech-like, declamatory singing. Used for dialogue and to advance the plot.

RW: Thy Hand Belinda

Front 75

Libretto

Back 75

Text of operas, cantatas, Oratorios.

Front 76

Ground bass

Back 76

Repeated short melody over which free variations occur. Baroque compositional device.

RW: pur te miro

Front 77

Castrato

Back 77

Male singer subjected to surgery to prevent change of voice. Prominent in 17th and 18th c., And usually use for heroic roles

RW: The Coronation of Poppea

Front 78

Basso Continuo

Back 78

Element of Baroque performance involving two performers, one playing notated bass line and other realizing harmonics as j fixated by figured bass.

Continuo usually played by keyboard Instrument and another bass instrument (eg cello, violone, bassoon)

Front 79

Bas

Back 79

Medieval for low (volume); instruments played indoors: regal, dulcimer, psaltery, lure, Rebec, recorder, vielle

Front 80

Trouvere

Back 80

Medieval musician-composers of northern france

RW: ce fut en mai

Front 81

Troubador

Back 81

Medieval musician-composers of southern France

RW: kalenda maya

Front 82

Rondo form

Back 82

ABACA or ABACABA

Section A must be heard at least 3 times in the tonic key. Section B and C offer contrasts in key and thematic material

RW: 2nd mvmnt Pathetique Sonata

Front 83

Piano Quintet

Back 83

Chamber music featuring a piano and 4 other instruments. String Quartet is most common

RW: Trout Quintet

Front 84

Piano Sonata

Back 84

Multi-movement Solo instrumental work for piano, usually with sonata cycle applied

RW: piano sonata in c minor "Pathetique"

Front 85

Modified Sonata Form

Back 85

An abbreviated sonata form, containing an exposition and Recapitulation, but no development.

RW: Overture from The Marriage of Figaro

Front 86

Monothematic Exposition

Back 86

In sonata form, when the second theme is a transposed version of the first theme

RW: Symphony no. 104 in D major (London)

Front 87

Menuet & Trio

Back 87

Form often used in 3rd movement of a sonata cycle. Triple meter, usually moderate tempo. ABA structure

RW: moonlight sonata

Front 88

Italian Overture

Back 88

Orchestral genre in 3 sections: fast slow fast. Formed the basis of the classical symphony.

Front 89

Aria

Back 89

Lyrical song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment. Often highly emotional.

RW: When I am Laid in Earth

Front 90

Opera Buffa

Back 90

Italian comic opera. Sung throughout, with down to earth characters, fast-paced plots, farce, and sexual innuendo

RW: The marriage of Figaro

Front 91

Opera Seria

Back 91

Italian serious opera. Sung throughout, generally based on historical or mythological subjects

RW: The Coronation of Poppea

Front 92

Nakers

Back 92

Medieval percussion instrument - small kettle drums played in pairs.

Front 93

Medieval Percussion Instruments

Back 93

Nakers

Tabor

Tambourine

Front 94

Portative Organ

Back 94

Medieval portable keyboard instrument. Small keyboard with high pitched pipes. Sound generated through pumping bellows

Front 95

Fugual Texture

Back 95

Contrapuntal composition based on the principle of imitation. A theme (referred to as the subject) pervades the entire work, entering in one voice and then another.

RW: Cantata No. 80, 1st movement

Front 96

Rounded Binary Form

Back 96

2-part musical form, structured ABA (A repeated, then BA repeated)

RW: Scarlatti's Harpsichord Sonata in D major

Front 97

Concerto

Back 97

Multi-movement orchestral work; usually 3 movements, fast slow fast. Outer movements usually in Ritornello form.

Two types: solo and grosso

RW: Brandenburg Concerto (grosso); Piano Concerto in G major (solo)

Front 98

Solo Concerto

Back 98

A multi-movement orchestral work featuring a solo instrument and orchestra.

RW: Piano Concerto in G major

Front 99

Canon

Back 99

Strict type of Polyphonic composition in which each voice enters in succession with the same melody. When each voice enters at the same pitch it is called a round.

RW: Cantata no. 80

Front 100

Double Exposition

Back 100

Used in 1st movement of a solo concerto, the orchestra plays an exposition, after which the solo instrument enters and plays its own Exposition, which includes its own version of the first theme, and then a new theme of its own.

RW: Piano Concerto in G major

Front 101

Coda

Back 101

A concluding section, reaffirming the tonic key

RW: Symphony No. 104 in D major

Front 102

Theme & Variations

Back 102

A work featuring a statement of melody is presented first and then a number of separate contrasting variations are presented. Changes can be made to melody, harmony, rhythm, or orchestration

RW: Piano Quintet in A major (Trout)

Front 103

Augmentation

Back 103

Expanding the time values of the noted of a melody or theme

RW: Cantata No. 80, 1st movement

Front 104

Chorus

Back 104

In a vocal work, the a group of singers. In an opera, may also participate in the plot or may be set apart to comment or reflect on the action

RW: Dido & Aeneas

Front 105

Ternary Form

Back 105

Three-part form: ABA. Section B creates contrast in key or materials.

RW: Water Music suite in D major, Hornpipe

Front 106

Sonata Form: Recapitulation

Back 106

Restatement of the 1st and 2nd theme in the tonic

Front 107

Sonata Form: Development

Back 107

Second section of sonata: themes from the exposition are manipulated (modulating, fragmentation, sequential treatment, changes to orchestration)

RW: symphony no. 104 (London)

Front 108

Sonata Form: exposition

Back 108

1st part of sonata form: main themes are introduced. Usually two contrasting themes, generally with the second in the dominant or relative major

RW: Symphony no. 104 (London)

Front 109

Terraced Dynamics

Back 109

Baroque practice of changing Dynamics abruptly.

RW: Water Music Suite in D major

Front 110

Chromaticism

Back 110

Melodies/harmonies that include all of the notes available within the octave

Front 111

Cadenza

Back 111

An instrumental passage by a soloist designed to showcase virtuosity. Either improvised or prepared.

RW: Piano Concerto in G major

Front 112

Countertenor

Back 112

High male voice with a strong, pure tone. Falsetto singing.

Front 113

Drone

Back 113

Sustained pitch or long held note

Front 114

Modal counterpoint

Back 114

Polyphonic texture based on modes

RW: Mille Regretz; Fair Phyllis

Front 115

Orchestral Suite

Back 115

An ordered set of orchestral pieces.

RW: Water Music Suite in D major

Front 116

A cappella

Back 116

Singing without any instrumental accompaniment

Front 117

Sinfonia

Back 117

Generic Baroque term used in various contexts. Monteverdi used as transitions btw scenes in operas

Front 118

Cornetto

Back 118

Ancestor of modern trumpet

Front 119

Crumhorn

Back 119

J-shaped Double-reed instrument

Front 120

Dulcimer

Back 120

Medieval string instrument played by striking strings with small mallets. Bas instrument

Front 121

Lute

Back 121

Medieval fretted stringed instruments. Plucked

Front 122

Concerto Grosso

Back 122

Baroque orchestral work with 3 movements (fast slow fast), in which a group of solo instruments is showcased.

RW: Brandenburg Concerto

Front 123

Medieval Pipe

Back 123

Ancestor of flute. Wind instrument w 3 holes

Front 124

Musica Ficta

Back 124

Raising or lowering pitches by chromatic semitones to avoid unwanted intervals. Medieval practice.

RW: Puis Qu'en oubli

Front 125

Guitarra Moresca

Back 125

Medieval Ancestor​ of the guitar. Moorish origins

Front 126

Sonata Form

Back 126

Formal structure often used in the first movement of a sonata cycle. Consists of exposition, development, and Recapitulation.

Front 127

Sonata Cycle

Back 127

Multi-movement Classical formal structure. Occurs in Symphonies, Sonatas, and Concertos.

Movements themselves have a variety of possible forms, including sonata, sonata-rondo, rondo, theme and variations menuet & trio/scherzo

Front 128

Medieval Keyboard Instruments

Back 128

Organs: regal, portative, positive

Front 129

Figured Bass

Back 129

Baroque notation form, with numbers written below the bass line to indicate harmonic progression. "Realized" by the continuo. Provided guided structure for improvisation

Front 130

Neumes

Back 130

The Earliest form of notation in western music. Medieval.

Front 131

Monody

Back 131

Baroque texture with a single melody and simple instrumental accompaniment. Translation: "one song"

Allowed for greater expression of emotion and clarity of text.

RW: when I am Laid in earth

Front 132

Ostinato

Back 132

Rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated for an extended period of time

RW: O Mitissima / Virgo / Haec dies

Front 133

Rondeau

Back 133

Medieval fixed poetic form used in the Polyphonic chansons of the Are Nova period. Consists of 4 verses and a refrain. Text of 1st stanza repeated partially in the 2nd verse and fully in the 4th.

AB aA ab AB

RW: Puis qu'en oubli

Front 134

Hocket

Back 134

Translation, "hiccup"

Medieval term for a melodic line split into two voice - each voice alternates between notes and rest.

Ars Nova style.

RW: Kyrie, from Messe de Nostre Dame

Front 135

Ripieno

Back 135

Baroque term for full orchestra in a concerto. Also called "tutti"

RW: Brandenburg Concerto

Front 136

Modes

Back 136

A scale pattern distinguished by unique order of tones and semitones

Front 137

Strophic Form

Back 137

Medieval song structure in which the music is the same for each verse of the poem. Little relationship between music and text

RW: Ce fut en mai

Front 138

Plainchant

Back 138

Monophonic, unmeasured rhythm, narrow melodic range, modal melodies

Front 139

Gregorian Chant

Back 139

Oldest form of notated music in the West. A form of plainchant based on sacred Latin texts and served as functional music in the Roman Catholic Church services.

RW: Haec dies

Front 140

The Affectations

Back 140

Baroque Philosophy that a piece of music should express only a single emotion

RW: Brandenburg Concerto