Untitled Flashcards Set

Cantata

A vocal work, usually for 1–2 voices with basso continuo, often structured in alternating recitative and aria.

Barbara Strozzi

A Venetian composer and singer who published madrigals and cantatas, notable for writing 'Lagrime mie'.

Heinrich Schütz

A composer known for sacred concertos who worked during the Thirty Years' War and wrote 'Saul, Saul, was verfolgst du mich'.

Giacomo Carissimi

A Rome-based composer who developed the oratorio genre and is known for 'Jephte', a dramatic setting based on biblical stories.

Trio Sonata

A musical form emphasizing lyrical interplay between two violins and basso continuo, typically structured in four movements.

Ritornello Form

A musical form where a recurring orchestral section alternates with soloist episodes, commonly used in concertos.

Stylus Phantasticus

A term describing a free, improvisatory style often found in keyboard music.

Chorale Prelude

An elaborated organ setting of a hymn, often featuring text painting reflecting the meaning of the chorale.

Da Capo Aria

A musical form with an A–B–A structure, commonly found in operas and cantatas, highlighting emotional contrasts.

Well-Tempered Clavier

A collection of two books by Bach, each containing 24 prelude and fugue pairs in every major and minor key for pedagogical purposes.

Equal Temperament

A tuning system that divides the octave into equal parts, allowing music to be played in any key.

Abendmusiken

Lutheran Advent concerts initiated by Dieterich Buxtehude.

Text Painting

The musical technique of using musical elements to illustrate the meaning of the text.

French Overture

A two-part form used in French opera characterized by a slow, dotted rhythm followed by a faster imitative section.

Villancico

A type of Spanish secular song that later became sacred, often used in celebratory contexts.

Ground Bass

A repeated bass pattern used in composition that forms the foundation for variations above it.

Madrigalisms

A musical technique involving the use of musical elements to depict the text in a vivid or illustrative manner.

Oratorio

A large-scale musical work for orchestra and choir based on a religious theme, not staged like an opera.

Concerto Grosso

A form of Baroque music featuring a small group of soloists contrasted with a full orchestra.

Toccata

An instrumental composition with an improvisatory style, often showing off the performer’s touch and technical skill.

Basso Continuo

A form of musical accompaniment used in the Baroque period, consisting of a bass line and harmonic support.