Classical Period Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about the Classical Period in music.

Bridge (transition)

In the exposition of the sonata form, a section that leads from the first theme in the tonic, or home, key to the second theme, which is in a new key.

Cadenza

Unaccompanied section of virtuoso display for the soloist in a concerto, usually appearing near the end of the first movement and sometimes in the last movement.

Classical style

A stylistic period in music from 1750 to 1820 that emphasized balance and clarity of structure.

Coda

In a sonata-form movement, a concluding section following the recapitulation and rounding off the movement by repeating themes or developing them further.

Countermelody

Melodic idea that accompanies a main theme.

Da capo

Instruction to repeat from the beginning (Italian).

Development

Second section of a sonata-form movement, in which themes from the exposition are developed and the music moves through several keys.

Exposition

First section of a sonata-form movement, which sets up a strong conflict between the tonic key and the new key, and between the first theme (or group of themes) and the second theme (or group of themes).

Motive

Fragment of a theme, or short musical idea that is developed within a composition.

Recapitulation

Third section of a sonata-form movement, in which the first theme, bridge, second theme, and concluding section are presented more or less as they were in the exposition, with one crucial difference: all the principal material is now in the tonic key.

Chamber music

Music using a small group of musicians, with one player to a part.

Concerto

Extended composition for instrumental soloist and orchestra, usually in three movements: (1) fast, (2) slow, (3) fast.

Serenade

Instrumental composition, light in mood, usually meant for evening entertainment.

Symphony

Orchestral composition, usually in four movements, typically lasting between 20 and 45 minutes, exploiting the expanded range of tone color and dynamics of the orchestra.

Sonata Form

Form of a single movement consisting of three main sections 1. The exposition, where the themes are presented 2. The development, where themes are treated in new way 3. The recapitulation, where the themes return. (4. A concluding section, the coda, often follows the recapitulation.)

String quartet

A type of chamber music, using a small group of four string musicians, with one player to a part.

Requiem

Mass for the dead.

Mass (sections)

Sacred choral composition made up of five sections: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei