Music, exam 3, chap 5-6

Cadenza

section of a concerto in which the soloist plays alone without the orchestra

Chamber music

music preformed in small spaces for entertainment

Da capo

 instruction—commonly found at the end of the B section or Trio of a Minuet and Trio, to return to the “head” or first section, generally resulting in an A - B - A form

Double-exposition form

 form of the first movement of a Classical period concerto that combines the exposition, development, and recapitulation of sonata form with the ritornello form used for the first movements of Baroque concertos; also called first-movement concerto form

Hemiola

the momentary shifting from a duple to a triple feel or vice versa

Opera buffa

comic style of opera made famous by Mozart

Opera Seria

serious style of eighteenth-century opera made famous by Handel generally features mythology or high-born characters and plots

Pizzicato

the plucking of a bowed string instrument such as the violin, producing a percussive effect

Rondo

instrumental form consisting of the alternation of a refrain “A” with contrasting sections (“B,” “C,” “D,” etc.). Rondos are often the final movements of string quartets, classical symphonies, concerti, and sonata (instrumental solos).

String quartet

performing ensemble consisting of two violinists, one violinist, and one cellist that plays compositions called string quartets, compositions generally in four movements

Symphony

multi-movement composition for orchestra, often in four movements

Ternary form

– describes a musical composition in three parts, most often featurings two similar sections, separated by a contrasting section and represented by the letters A – B – A.

Theme and variation form

the presentation of a theme and then variations upon it. The theme may be illustrated as A, with any number of variations following it – A’, A’’, A’’’, A’’’’, etc.

art Song

a composition setting a poem to music, generally for one solo voice and piano accompaniment; in German, a Lied

Chamber music

– music--such as art songs, piano character pieces, and string quartets-- primarily performed in small performing spaces, often for personal entertainment

Chromaticism

use of “colorful,” dissonant pitches, that included in the key of the composition

Concertori

a composition for a soloist or a group of soloists and an orchestra, generally in three movements with fast, slow, and fast tempos, respectively

drone

a sustained pitch or pitches often found in music of the middle ages or earlier and in folk music

Idée fixe

a famous melody that appears in all five movements of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique to represent the beloved from the program

Leitmotiv

“guiding motive” associated with a specific character, theme, or locale in a music drama, and first associated with the music of Richard Wagner

Nationalism

pride in one’s nation or cultural identity, often expressed in art, literature, and music

Opera

– a drama almost entirely sung to orchestral accompaniment, with accompanying costumes and staging

Plagal Cadence

ending of a composition that consists of a IV chord moving to a I chord and most often associated with church music

Program Music

– instrumental music intended to represent a something extra musical such as a poem, narrative, drama, or picture, or the ideas, images, or sounds therein

Rubato

the momentary speeding up or slowing down of the tempo within a melody line, literally “robbing” time from one note to give to another

Sonata

– composition for a solo instrument or an instrument with piano accompaniment, generally in three movements with fast, slow, and fast tempos, respectively

Song cycle

a collection of art songs, unified by poet, narrative, musical style, or composer

Symphonic Poem

program music in the form of a single-movement composition for orchestra; sometimes called a tone poem

Strophic

a composition that uses the repetition of the same music (“strophes”) for successive texts

Through-composed

a movement or composition consisting of new music throughout, without repetition of internal sections

Mozart

Found patronage limiting and restrictive

to his creativity.

• Moved to Vienna to pursue a freelance

career, seeking independence from

aristocratic control

Haydn

Beethoven

The son of a court musician, Beethoven was

sent to Vienna to study composition.

• By 1809, he secured a lifetime annuity from

Viennese noblemen, allowing him to compose

freely.

• Unlike earlier composers, Beethoven’s

patrons supported him without direct control

over his output.

• This marked a turning point toward the

modern idea of the independent artist.

Liszt

Inspired by violinist Niccolò Paganini, Liszt

became the first great piano virtuoso and

revolutionized concert performance by

turning the piano sideways so audiences

could see his hands and expressions.

 His charisma, showmanship, and technical

brilliance made him a celebrity admired

across Europe.

 After years of touring, Liszt moved to Weimar

(1848–1861) to focus on composition and

serve as Court Musician

Schumann

One of the most famous husband-and-

wife composer duos of the 19th century.

 Met in Leipzig when Robert studied

piano with Friedrich Wieck, Clara’s

father.

 Clara was a child prodigy, giving public

concerts from age 9.

 Both influenced future composers,

including Brahms, who was a close

family friend.

 Their partnership symbolizes the

intertwining of love, art, and tragedy in

Romantic-era music.

Dvořák

Bohemian Composer. Born near Prague. Leading

composer in Czech music.

 From 1892–1895, Dvořák served as Director of

the National Conservatory in the United States.

 He blended Bohemian traditions with American

folk elements, creating a new “Old World meets

New World” sound.

 Inspired by spirituals, Native American melodies,

and cowboy songs, he envisioned an American

national music.

 Dvořák taught Henry T. Burleigh, whose work

with spirituals deeply influenced American

composers.

 His ideas shaped future composers such as

Aaron Copland and George Gershwin

Verdi

Succeeded Giacomo Rossini as the most

important Italian opera composer of his time.

 He lived during a period of national revolution,

and his music became linked with Italy’s

struggle for unification under King Emmanuel.

 Verdi was a prolific composer, writing twenty-

six operas and several large-scale choral

works.

 His subjects ranged from mythology and

ancient history to realistic contemporary

themes, contributing to the verismo (realism)

movement in opera.

 Verdi’s music, filled with passion and national

spirit, secured his place as one of the greatest

figures in 19th-century opera

Tchaikovsky

This Russian composer began piano lessons

at age five but originally trained for a career

in government service.

 After his mother’s death, he left the civil

service at age twenty-three to study at the

St. Petersburg Conservatory.

 Under Anton Rubinstein, he completed his

studies in three years and began teaching

at the Moscow Conservatory.

 Some major works include: Swan Lake, The

Nutcracker Suite and the Sixth Symphon