RCM History 9

Absolute Music

Instrumental music without extramusical associations (e.g. sonatas, allegrettos, menuets, rondos)

The "Affections"

Baroque philosophy that was inspired by the Greeks and the Romans. In Baroque music, this refers to a single effect that is projected throughout a composition. (overarching Baroque element)

Answer

The second statement of the main theme of a fugue in a dominant key. (e.g. Prelude and Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Aria

A solo song with accompaniment that is highly emotional and virtuous. Used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Art Song

A musical setting of a poem for solo voice, usually with piano accompaniment. (Erlkonig, Schubert)

Atonality

The tonal absence of any tonal centre.

Ballet

A highly stylized type of dance that often interprets a story.

Baroque

From the Portuguese word, barroco, meaning 'irregularly shaped or misshapen pearl.' Baroque refers to the art, architecture, and music of the 17th and 18th century.

Basso Continuo

Baroque performance practice that involves two performers providing harmonic framework; one person plays the bass and another realizing the harmonies from the bass. (Overarching Baroque element)

Binary Form

Two part form. A || B ||

Chamber Music

Music for a small ensemble, usually performed without a conductor. There is one player per part. ("Emperor" Quartet, Haydn)

Changing Meter

The shift of metrical groupings that is manifested through changes of time signature.

Choreography

The art of designing the dance steps and movements in a ballet.

Chromatic Harmony

The extensive use of notes outside the prevailing key signature. (Overarching Romantic element)

Classicism

Refers to the culture of ancient Greece and Rome, which adheres to symmetry, balance, and proportion. (overarching Classical element)

Clavier

A German word for keyboard instruments other than the organ. (e.g. Prelude and Fugue in B flat Major)

Coda

A concluding section that reaffirms the tonic key. (e.g. Overarching Classical element)

Col Legno

A novel string effect where players tap on the strings with the wooden parts of their bows. (Symphonie Fantastique, Berlioz)

Concerto

A popular instrumental genre in the Baroque era. Has three movements, employed in ritornello form, and showcases the virtuosity of the soloist(s). (e.g. The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)

Counterpoint

Combination of two or more independent melodic lines. (Prelude and Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Countersubject

A recurring countermelody that accompanies the entries of the subject and answer. (Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Cyclical Structure

Material heard in one movement recurs in later movements to create structural unity. (Symphony Number 5 in C minor, Beethoven)

Da Capo Aria

An aria employing a ternary structure. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Development

The second section of the sonata form, where themes from the exposition are manipulated. This section includes modulations and increased harmonic tension.

Dies Irae

A monophonic chant melody dating from late Middle Ages drawn from the Roman Catholic Requiem. (Symphony Fantastique, Berlioz)

Durchkomponiert

A song structure that does not repeat entire sections of music, thus allowing the music to reveal the meaning of text. (Erlkonig, Schubert)

Episode

A passage within a fugue where neither subject nor answer is present; frequently sequential. (Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Equal Temperament

A method of tuning keyboard instruments by dividing an octave into 12 equal semitones. This facilitated composition and performance of music in all keys. (e.g. Prelude and Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Exoticism in Music

A fascination in foreign lands and cultures that is evoked through melody, rhythm, harmony, and orchestration. (overarching Romantic element)

Expanded Tonality

The use of extremely chromatic harmony while still maintaining allegiance to the tonal centre.

Exposition

The first section of sonata form; two contrasting themes are present. One is in the tonic, and one is in a contrasting key (e.g. dominant)

Figured Bass

From the Baroque Era - numbers are placed below the bass line to show harmonic progression. Figured bass provides the structure for improvisation. (Overarching Baroque element)

French Overture

The orchestral introduction to an opera or an oratorio; divided into two parts. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Fugue

A highly structured, imitative contrapuntal composition. A single theme/subject prevails. (Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Habañera

A Cuban dance-song in 2/4 time, with a characteristic rhythmic motive often used as an ostinato.

Hemiola

A temporary shift of the metric accents; notes grouped in threes are momentarily grouped in twos or vice versa.

Homophonic Texture

A single line of melody supported by a harmonic accompaniment. (Overarching Baroque element)

Idée Fixe

A recurring theme that undergoes transformation that serves as a unifying thread in a multi-movement composition. (Symphonie Fantastique, Berlioz)

Idiomatic Writing

Highlights the unique technical capabilities of an instrument; developed in the Baroque era. (The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)

Impressionism in Music

Employs expanded harmonic vocabulary; suggests images rather than depicting them. Features innovative orchestral colours.

Jazz

Combined elements of African, popular, and European music - based on improvisation.

Libretto

The text of an opera, oratorio, or cantata. (e.g. Charles Jennens, librettist for Handel's Messiah)

Lied

The musical setting of a German poem for solo voice, usually with piano accompaniment. (Erlkonig, Schubert)

Melisma

A group of notes sung on a single syllable/vowel. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Menuet and Trio

A stylized dance of French origin in triple meter with a contrasting middle section. It is in ternary form. (Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart)

Minimalism in Music

Characterized by the repetition of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic patterns with little variation.

Modal Scales

The use of modes in which the pattern of whole steps and half steps is different from conventional scales.

Motive

A short melodic or rhythmic fragment used to build a melody. (Symphony Number 5 in C Minor, Beethoven)

Musical

A play with spoken dialogue but featuring musical numbers. The staging is often spectacular.

Nationalism in Music

Patriotism expressed through music with influence of folk song and dance, myths and legends, etc. (Overarching Romantic element)

Opera

Drama that is sung - combines vocal and instrumental music with drama, visual arts, and often dance.

Oratorio

A large scale work developed in the Baroque era that is based on serious subjects (e.g. Biblical text) for soloists, chorus, and orchestra. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Ornamentation

Musical embellishment to decorate a melodic line, either represented by symbols or improvised. (Overarching Baroque element)

Ostinato

A rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated for an extended period. (The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)

Pedal Point

A note or series of notes sustained through harmony changes in other parts. (The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)

Pentatonic Scale

A scale consisting of five different pitches; can be easily achieved by playing the 5 black keys on the piano.

Polonaise

Polish dance in triple meter, proud and majestic that often includes characteristic, rhythmic figures. (Polonaise in A flat Major)

Polyphonic Texture

A combination of two or more melodic lines. (Overarching Baroque element)

Polyrhythm

The simultaneous use of two or more rhythms.

Polytonality

The simultaneous use of two or more tonal centres.

Prelude

A short keyboard work in improvisatory style, often paired with a fugue.

Primitivism

An effect created largely through rhythm. Includes strong accents, heavy syncopation, polyrhythms, and expanded percussion.

Programmatic Writing

Music with a descriptive element, inspired by extramusical associations, like a story or painting. (The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)

Program Music

Instrumental music with extramusical associations. Titles usually reveal the connection. (Overarching Romantic Element)

Program Symphony

A multi-movement orchestral work with a descriptive title and accompanying text. (Symphonie Fantastique, Berlioz)

Real Answer

An exact transposition of the subject. (Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Recapitulation

The third section of sonata form where the first and second themes are restated in the tonic.

Recitative

A speech-like style of singing used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas, used to advance the plot quickly. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Recitativo Accompagnato

Speech-like, declamatory style of singing supported by an instrumental ensemble or orchestra. Used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Recitativo Secco

A speech-like, declamatory style of singing supported by basso continuo. Used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

Ripieno

The full orchestra in Baroque concertos. (e.g. The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)

Ritornello Form

Structure employed in Baroque concertos - the opening passage is stated throughout the movement. (e.g. The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)

Rocket Theme

Rapidly ascending melody outlining an arpeggio. (e.g. Eine kleine Nachtmusik)

Romanticism

A reaction against Classicism that puts an emphasis on creative imagination and the expression of emotions. (e.g. Erlkonig, Schubert)

Rondo Form

Secton A recurs, with alternating sections creating contrast (e.g. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart)

Rounded Binary Form

A || B + A1 ||. Opening material from section A returns after B material. (e.g. Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart)

Rubato

Rhythmic flexibility - an expressive device for interpreting music. (Polonaise in A flat Major, Chopin)

Scherzo and Trio

In triple meter, but is more dramatic than a menuet. It is in ABA form. (e.g. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Beethoven)

Serenade

A multi-movement orchestral genre, for small orchestra or chamber ensemble. (e.g. Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart)

Sonata Cycle

Multi-movement structure that emerged in the Classical era demonstrated in symphonies, sonatas, and concertos (overarching Classical element)

Sonata Form

Formal structure used in the first movement of a sonata cycle. It consists of exposition, development, and recapitulation. (overarching Classical element)

Sonata-Rondo Form

Combines elements of sonata form and rondo form. ABACABA - typical layout. (e.g. Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart)

String Quartet

A prevalent chamber music genre in the Classical era, has 2 violins, a viola, and a cello. Usually has four movements (e.g. "Emperor" Quartet, Haydn)

Subject

The initial statement of the main theme of a fugue, in tonic key. (e.g. Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Symbolism

Authors sought to suggest subject matters rather than depict them - stresses beauty of the word itself. (e.g. Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un Faune, Debussy)

Symphonic Poem

A single-movement work, generally in free form, with literary or pictorial associations (Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un Faune, Debussy)

Symphony

A multi-movement orchestral work from the 18th century. It's usually in four movements; at least one is in sonata form. (e.g. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Beethoven)

Ternary Form

Three part form. (e.g. Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart)

Theme and Variations

A work featuring a statement of a melody, followed by a series of transformations. (e.g. "Emperor" Quartet, Haydn)

Tonal Answer

A statement of the subject in which one or more intervals is adjusted to accommodate the harmony. (Fugue in B flat Major, Bach)

Verse-Chorus Structure

A common song structure in music; verses develop character/storyline, chorus acts as a refrain. (e.g. West Side Story, Bernstein)

Viennese School

Refers to the musical style of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. Vienna, Austria was the musical centre. (Overarching Classical element)

Whole-tone Scale

A scale that consists of six different pitches, all spaced a whole step apart.

Word Painting

Music pictorization through melody, harmony, and rhythm. (e.g. Messiah, Handel)

1678-1741

Antonio Vivaldi's birth and death?

Venice, Italy

Antonio Vivaldi's birthplace?

Contributed to the development of the concerto structure, leader in establishing ritornello form, developed idiomatic writing for strings, incorporated programmatic writing.

Antonio Vivaldi's style/musical contributions?

Poetic image: Spring has arrived.

Musical depiction: Spirited rhythmic figures, bright character, celebratory dance-like quality.

Poetic image: The birds celebrate with festive song.

Musical depiction: High-pitched trills, repeated-note figures.

Poetic image: Murmuring streams are caressed by gentle breezes.

Musical depiction: Violins play a rapid undulating figure.