Music History Exam 3 Vocab

Periodic

Similar to a long ‘phrase’ - a structure of 8 measures consisting of 2 phrases

Describe Galant style

18th century song style (dance) that features clear melodies, uncomplicated harmonies, and a focus on musical clarity and structure rather than complex counterpoint

the Enlightenment

Caused a shift in musical style (Baroque to Classical) making music more accessible to people who aren’t elite. Influenced amateur composers to write folk and popular music

Classical Style

Simple, singable melodies over light, clear tonic and dominant accompaniment

Empfindsam Style

Emerged in Germany, emphasized emotional expression and a delicate, refined sensibility, often characterized by abrupt mood changes and subtle dynamic variations

What composers use Empfindsam style?

CPE Bach and Haydn

Opera Buffa

A comedic opera, Cose fan tutte

Opera Seria

A serious opera, Don Giovanni

Ballad Opera

A theatrical entertainment featuring folk melodies and popular airs with new texts, often interspersed with spoken dialogue

Singspiel

translates to "sing-play" in German. It's a German-language musical theatre form that alternates spoken dialogue with sung sections

What were some of the reforms that took place in opera?

Lead by Gluck, emphasized a more natural and less stylized approach, with streamlined plots, less elaborate arias, and a greater role for the chorus and orchestra

Why is William Billings important?

He is considered America's first significant composer and is credited with establishing a unique American folk style in choral music. Self taught and used lots of parallel 5ths and octaves, descended by a tritone, etc

Fortepiano

An early type of piano, evolved from the harpsichord

Symphony

An elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements, at least one of which is traditionally in sonata form.

String quartet

A group of four instruments with strings that play together: A string quartet consists of two violins, a viola, and a cello

Simple Binary form

Only has an A and B section (completely different)

Balanced Binary form

The closing material of the first section (A section) is transposed to the tonic key and reappears at the end of the second section (B section)

Rounded Binary form

A portion of the initial theme (section A) returns at the end of the contrasting section (section B)

Describe sonata form in detail

Exposition: First section, main themes introduced, Theme one in tonic, theme two in dominant or relative major

Development: composer takes the themes presented in the exposition and works with them, changing their character, key, and rhythm

Recapitulation: main themes are presented again, but this time they are both in the tonic key

Alberti bass

A specific arpeggiated accompaniment pattern in which the notes of a chord are played in the order: lowest note, highest note, middle note, highest note

Concerto

An instrumental composition, written for one or more soloists accompanied by an orchestra or other ensemble (3 movement structure, fast slow fast)

What was considered “entertainment” music?

Opera (seria and buffa), symphonies, string quartets, and sonatas

What economic changes took place in the 18th century?

Rise of middle class, public concert culture, and the growth of a global music industry. ade music accessible to a wider audience and leading to the professionalization of composers

In the 18th century is the emphasis on melody, harmony, or texture?

Melody

Amateur music-making

The creation and enjoyment of music by individuals who are not professional musicians, often done for personal pleasure or within a community setting (german collegium musicum)

What was the political situation of 18th-century Europe?

A mix of established monarchies, rising powers, and ongoing conflicts

Who attended public concerts?

The growing middle class that could afford a ticket

Who wrote the Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments?

CPE Bach

Gradus ad Parnassum

A famous textbook on counterpoint written by Johann Joseph Fux. It is still used today for instruction in musical theory and composition

Why is Haydn called the “father of the symphony?

He was a pivotal figure in shaping the symphony as a musical form, helped establish the typical four-movement structure (fast-slow-dance-fast)

In addition to composing, teaching, and publishing, what else did Mozart do in Vienna?

Primarily worked as an independent musician, composing, teaching piano, and giving public concerts

Where does one often find operatic characteristics in Mozart’s piano concertos?

In the dialogue between the solo piano and the orchestra, as well as in the use of recitative and the delineation of contrasting characters and moods