music test 2 - medieval to baroque periods

a capella

vocal music without instruments

mass ordinary

mass for every day worship

mass proper

mass for special calendar days (xmas, easter)

bel canto

beautiful singing, opera styles of singing

libretto

the text to an opera, oratorio, cantata, or other dramatic vocal work

doctrine of the affections

the concept where composers compose music to arouse specific feelings and emotions

basso continuo

an accompanying part that has two layers. sustained bassline part played by a cello, bass, or bassoon. chordal part played by a harpsichord, organ, or lute.

word painting

a compositional technique for expressing certain words or phrases in music.

motet

sacred choral work in praise of the Virgin Mary. 4-6 voices, polyphonic, imitative, use of word painting

mass

centerpiece of catholic worship

chorale

music of the Reformation. monophonic, strophic, vernacular, congregational

madrigal

secular cholar work. 4-6 voices, polyphonic, imitative, use of word painting.

plainchant

music of the church. conjunct, narrow range, monophonic, nonmetric. anonymous composers with latin text.

organum

addition of an independent melodic line to pre-existing plainchant. 9th century.

estampie

french dance in a triple meter

saltarello

italian jumping dance in quadruple

opera

mythological/historical drama set to music with vocal soloists, chorus, orchestra, and elaborate scenery/costumes

oratorio

same components as opera, except not staged, no scenery or costumes. religious theme

cantata

miniature oratorio, sacred or secular. based on lutheran chorale melodies.

prelude

short, improvised music that introduces other music

fugue

polyphonic composition with 3-5 voices in which the first voice presents the subject and the others imitate

solo concerto

musical instrumental soloist and orchestra in 3 movements

syllabic

one syllable sung in one note

mellismatic

one syllable sung in several notes

castrato

male singer who was castrated before puberty. results in a high pitched singing voice. churches and operas

terraced dynamics

sudden shifts between loud and soft dynamics rather than gradual

recitative

mimics a spoken language. primarily used in opera, oratario, cantata to move the story forward

aria

solo vocal piece accompanied by an orchestra. primarily used in opera, oratario, cantata to showcase a character’s emotions

who is the composer of gregorian chant (plainchant)? period of music?

pope gregory. medieval

what are the dates of the medieval period?

500-1450

• romanesque: 500-1100

• gothic: 1150-1450

what are the dates of the renaissance period?

1450-1600

what are the dates of the baroque period?

1600-1750

who was pope gregory 1?

collected and organized the anonymous plainchants of the Church

who was hildegard von bingen?

composer of plainchant. in 2012, canonized a Saint in the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict. Associated with Ars Antiqua.

what was the Ars Nova?

innovative developments in music, including emancipation of the triple meter. duple and quadruple meters were now being used

what was the Reformation?

a split of the Christian Church into Protestants and Catholics. priest Martin Luther in 1517 proposed 95 theses against church corruption

what was the Counter Reformation?

the response by the Catholic Church to the Reformation. set up the Council of Trent to regulate all aspects of the church, including music

who is the composer of nunc aperuit nobis? period of music?

hildegard von bingen. medieval

who is the composer of ma fin mon commencement (my end is my beginning)? period of music?

guillame de machaut. medieval

who is the composer of ave maria virgo serena? period of music?

josquin des prez. renaissance

who is the composer of pope marcellus mass? period of music?

giovanni pierluigi da palestrina. renaissance

who is the composer of fair phyllis? period of music?

john farmer. renaissance

who is the composer of moro, lasso? period of music?

carlo gesualdo. renaissance

who is the composer of la spagna (danza alta)? period of music?

francisco de la torre. renaissance

who is the composer of Opera: Julius Caesar? period of music?

george frederic handel. baroque

who is the composer of Oratorio: Messiah? period of music?

george frederic handel. baroque

who is the composer of Cantata: Wachet Au (Sleepers, Awake)? period of music?

J.S bach. baroque

who is the composer of The Art of Fugue? period of music?

J.S bach. baroque

who is the composer of Keyboard: The Well-Tempered Clavier? period of music?

J.S bach. baroque

who is the composer of Solo Concerto: The Four Seasons? period of music?

antonio vivaldi. baroque

what are the five parts of the mass ordinary?

kyrie, gloria, credo, sanctus, and agnus dei

composers and major contributions of the Notre Dame School?

leonin and perotin. refined forms of organum which is a type of polyphonic music

differences between a recitative and aria?

recitative tells what is happening on stage while an aria conveys what the character feels about the events.

what are the sustained and chordal instruments used in a basso continuo?

• sustained instruments: cello, bassoon, viola, double bass

• chordal instruments: harpsichord, organ, lute (guitar), harp

what purpose does the basso continuo serve in the texture of a piece of music?

provides a foundation and accompaniment. solid bass line and chordal that improves the melody to make it more expressive

briefly describe the life of J.S bach?

one of the most talented composers of the baroque period. developed a style of composing that layered multiple melodic lines

briefly describe the life of george handel?

famous german composer of the baroque period. created the opera of julius caesar and messiah.