Music History

What time period does the Baroque Period cover?

1600-1750

What is the main source material for opera?

Secular.

What is the main source material for oratorio?

Sacred.

How is an opera presented?

Fully staged dramatic presentation with costumes, set design, etc.

How is an oratorio presented?

Performed in concert style.

Who is credited with promoting the popularity of oratorios?

Handel.

What does Programmaticism refer to in music?

The overt expression of a story, feeling, or idea through a musical setting.

What is Word Painting in music?

The description of text through musical expression.

What is Tone Color?

Distinguishes the difference in various sounds (bright, dark, shrill, warm, etc.).

What is Dissonance?

Harmony which is harsh or suspenseful, creating discomfort.

What is a Cycle in music?

A set of pieces of the same genre linked by a similar musical idea.

What is a Motif?

A short musical idea from which a theme can be drawn.

What is a Diva?

An Opera Star.

What is Ground Bass?

A repetitive descending bass line used to portray sadness or create tension.

What are Terraced Dynamics?

Loud and soft levels, a Baroque idiom dictated by the use of basso continuo.

What is Basso Continuo?

A Baroque convention consisting of two players, one for the bass line and one for chordal harmonies.

What is the Baroque Fugue?

A polyphonic texture musical form.

What is the theme of a Fugue called?

The Subject.

What is an alteration method in a Fugue where the subject appears in reverse?

Retrograde.

What is an alteration method in a Fugue where intervals are inverted?

Inversion.

What is the structure of a classical Symphony?

An orchestral work in 4 movements.

What is a Concerto?

A solo piece in 3 movements for any instrument with orchestral accompaniment.

What is a Sonata?

A solo piece in 3 movements for any instrument with piano accompaniment.

What is the earliest known opera that survives today?

Orpheus and Euridice by Monteverdi.

What does Secco Recitative refer to in opera?

The 'dry' style which follows natural speech rhythms and is accompanied by basso continuo.

Which instrument was created near the end of the Baroque Period?

The piano.

What kind of composers were Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven?

Important composers of the Classical Period.

What did Beethoven significantly alter in music?

The Orchestra and Symphony.

What are the unification elements in a Symphony according to Beethoven?

The same thematic material occurs throughout the entire work.

What is the Exposition in Sonata design?

The Exposition is the first section of a Sonata where the main themes are introduced.

What is the Development in Sonata design?

The Development is the second section of a Sonata where themes are developed and explored, often through variations and modulation.

What is the Recapitulation in Sonata design?

The Recapitulation is the final section of a Sonata where the original themes from the Exposition are restated and brought to a close.

What is the overall structure of Sonata design?

Sonata design typically consists of three main sections: Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation.

What does the ABA format in a sonata refer to?

The ABA format refers to a three-part structure where 'A' represents the first theme, 'B' represents a contrasting section, and 'A' is a repeat of the initial theme.

How is the ABA format similar to the overall structure of a sonata?

The ABA format is similar to the sonata's overall organization of Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation, where themes are introduced, explored, and restated.

What roles do the A and B sections play in the ABA format of a sonata?

In the ABA format, the A sections present the primary themes, while the B section provides a contrasting musical idea.