Classical terms

Bel Canto

Italian style of singing associated with early 19th century opera, characterized by a lyrical and highly ornamented style

Libretto

text of an opera

opera buffa

Type of Italian opera of the 18th century with a comic plot, generally in two acts

opera seria

type of Italian opera of the 18th century with a serious (often historical or mythological) subject matter, generally in three acts

Prima Donna

leading woman of an opera company

stretta

concluding part of an opera aria or ensemble in which tempo increases; commonly used in an opera finale, with all the characters singing at once

sonata form

form most often used in first movements of symphonies, sonatas, and other instrumental works of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, consisting primarily of exposition, development, recapitulation, and coda

exposition

in a fugue the opening section in which each voice states the subject

development

process of exploring and reworking different musical materials

recapitulation

third main section of first movement sonata form, paralleling the exposition, but ending in the home key

coda

Ending section of a first movement sonata or other movement

articulated phrasing

clear, distinct separation between musical phrases or notes, often with pauses or breaks, creating a sense of individual expression.

continuous phrasing

flows smoothly without noticeable pauses or breaks, maintaining a seamless, connected sound throughout the performance.

galant

emphasizes simplicity, elegance, and grace. It features clear, uncomplicated melodies, regular phrasing, and a light, lyrical character, often in contrast to the more complex and ornate Baroque style.

empfindsam

emotional expressiveness, subtle nuances, and unexpected harmonic changes. It emphasizes deep feelings and personal expression, often through dynamic contrasts and intimate, sensitive phrasing.

retransition

in sonata form passage at the end of the development that leads to the recapitulation

theme and variations/variation form

musical form in which a melody, harmonic structure or other musical rhematic material is presented, followed by a series of ___

minuet and trio

commonly in the 18th century a movement of a symphony string quartet or tother work; the ___ is a contrasting ___ after which the first ___ returns

scherzo

term applied variously to different types of musical compositions but most often to a lively dancelike movement of a symphony or other instrumental work

rondo form

musical form characterized by returns of a fully stated theme

serenade

composition for chamber group or orchestra, usually meant for light entertainment, and often with more than 4 movements

string quartet

ensemble of two violins, viola, and cello, or a musical composition written for this ensemble

chamber music

music performed by a small number of people; originally intended for a small audience

art song

vocal work for solo voice and accompaniment

lied/lieder

short musical composition generally for solo voice and piano; often based on a poem

modified strophic

strophic song form that incorporated some alteration in the strophic repetition

salons

gathering of artists and intellectuals in a private home, for sharing of art or ideas

schubertiades

intimate social gathering, named for Franz Schubert, and featuring the composer and his friends providing music and poetry

song cycle

19th century a single integrated work often for voice and piano