Music History Review

Flashcards from lecture notes

What are the characteristics of Galant music?

Songful melodies, homophonic, light accompaniment

What does Empfindsam mean and what are its characteristics?

German for “sensitive style” ; Wide range of dynamics

What is absolute music?

Music that is independent of words, drama, visual images, and representational aspects

What is programmatic music?

Instrumental music that tells a story or follows a narrative or other sequence of events

What is developing variation?

Process of deriving themes, accompaniments, and other ideas through a piece through variations of that idea

What is a symphonic poem?

1 mvmt. work of program music for orchestra that conveys a poetic idea, story, or a scene that presents varied and repeated themes

What is Verismo?

Italian, “realism” ; 19th century operatic mvmt. presenting everyday people, turning away from romantic idealism

What is Lied?

German ; Song for solo voice and piano

What is Gesamtkunstwerk?

German ; Total artwork, musical drama

What is a Leitmotif?

Open-ended, combined, transformed

What is chromatic exaggeration/saturation?

Appearance of all 12 pitch-classes within a segment of music

What is Rossini scene structure?

Opening section= tempo d’attacco; Duet= cantabile; Mood changes= tempo di mezzo; More active emotion= cabaletta

What is Idee fixe?

“Fixed idea”, “obsession” ; French

What is Bel canto?

“Beautiful singing”, elegant and embellished, florid melodies

What is the Heiligenstadt Testament?

Letter written by Beethoven reflecting his despair, wasn’t public till’ after death

What is Opera buffa?

Romantic opera genre known for being witty, satirical, and obtaining elements of opera comique

What is Singspiel?

German genre of opera; Features spoken dialogue interspersed with songs, choruses, and instrumental

What is a Melodrama?

Genre of musical theater that combined spoken dialogue with background music

What is Intermezzo?

18th century of Italian comic opera, performed between acts of a serious opera or play

What is a Cabaletto?

Last part of aria or ensemble; Lively, expressed feelings

What is the Manheim crescendo known for?

Known for wide dynamic range

What is the structure of Sonata form?

Exposition= PT, ST, and CT; Development; Recapitulation = PT, ST, CT

Why is Haydn the father of symphony and string quartet?

Mastered counterpoint and galant style; Started performing as concerts; Enlightenment ideals

What are characteristics of the Romantic Period?

Looser, more extended forms, greater experimentation with harmony and texture; Richly expressive and memorable melodies, improved musical instruments, and interest in nationalism