MUSI 1307 Exam 1 Review Sheet: Baroque Music

What is the Doctrine of Affections in Baroque music?

It is the theory that different musical moods or 'affections' could evoke specific emotions in the listener.

How did contrast function in Baroque music?

Contrast was used to create variety and drama, especially in dynamics and textures.

What is an opera?

A staged dramatic work that combines text and music, usually in several acts, involving singers, orchestra, and often costumes, sets and dance.

Who were castrati in Baroque opera?

Male singers who were castrated before puberty to preserve a higher vocal range.

What is a prima donna?

The lead female singer in an opera, often receiving the most attention and admiration.

What is a libretto?

The text or script of an opera, oratorio, or other long vocal work.

What is the significance of the story of Orfeo?

It is the subject of the first significant opera, L'Orfeo (1607), by Claudio Monteverdi, based on the myth of Orpheus.

What is Basso Continuo?

A continuous bass part played by instruments like the harpsichord or cello, providing harmonic support throughout a piece.

Describe the harpsichord.

A keyboard instrument widely used during the Baroque period, where the strings are plucked rather than hammered.

What characterizes monody in Baroque music?

It features a single vocal line with simple instrumental accompaniment, emphasizing clear delivery of the text.

What is recitative?

A style of delivery in opera and oratorio where the singer adopts a speech-like rhythm, often used to advance the plot.

What is an aria?

A song for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment, often expressing emotion in an opera or oratorio.

What is a chorus in opera?

A group of singers performing together, often representing the voice of the community or providing commentary.

What is an ensemble in opera?

A group of singers in an opera performing together, typically involving more than two characters.

What does word/text painting mean in music?

It is a compositional technique where the music reflects the literal meaning of the lyrics.

What marked the shift to public/entrepreneurial opera in the Baroque period?

Opera shifted from being court-sponsored to public venues, where entrepreneurs produced and sold tickets.

Who was Henry Purcell?

An English Baroque composer known for works like Dido and Aeneas and his contributions to the development of English opera.

What is an overture?

An instrumental opening to an opera or oratorio, setting the tone for the work.

What is ostinato/ground bass in Baroque music?

A repeated bass pattern over which the rest of the music changes, often used as a foundation for variation.

Define virtuosity in the context of Baroque music.

It refers to technical skill and brilliance, often demanded of Baroque instrumentalists and singers.

What are cadenzas in music?

Improvised or written-out ornamental passages played by a soloist in a concerto, showcasing the performer’s skill.

What are embellishments and trills in music?

Ornamental musical flourishes added to a melody, such as trills (rapid alternation between two adjacent notes).

Who was Claudio Monteverdi?

An Italian composer and pioneer of opera, bridging the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Who was Johann Sebastian Bach?

One of the greatest composers of the Baroque period, known for works like The Well-Tempered Clavier and Brandenburg Concertos.

What are movements in music?

Independent sections of a larger musical work, such as a symphony or concerto.

What characterizes a Baroque orchestra?

A small ensemble consisting of strings, harpsichord, and sometimes winds or brass.

What is a cantata?

A vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment, often in multiple movements, used in both sacred and secular contexts.

What is a chorale?

A hymn tune associated with German Protestantism, often harmonized by composers like Bach.

Why is Martin Luther significant in the context of Baroque music?

He promoted congregational singing in the form of chorales, influencing musical practices.

What is a fugue?

A polyphonic composition based on a single theme, which is introduced at the beginning and then developed through counterpoint.

What is a prelude and fugue pedagogical set?

Collections like The Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach, written for teaching and performance, combining prelude with fugue.

Who was Antonio Vivaldi?

An Italian Baroque composer known for his virtuosic violin concertos, including The Four Seasons.

What are sonnets in relation to Vivaldi's Four Seasons?

Vivaldi wrote sonnets to accompany the music, describing the scenes evoked.

What is a Trio sonata in Baroque music?

A type of sonata written for two melodic instruments and basso continuo.

What is a concerto?

A work for solo instruments and orchestra, typically in three movements (fast-slow-fast).

What is a concerto grosso?

A Baroque form of concerto where a small group of soloists contrasts with the full orchestra.

Define Ritornello in the context of Baroque music.

A recurring passage for the orchestra that alternates with solo sections in a concerto.

What are opus numbers?

A numbering system for works of a composer, used to catalog their compositions.

What are BWV numbers?

Catalog numbers assigned to the works of J.S. Bach, compiled in the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis.

Who was George Frideric Handel?

A German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental works.

What is a suite in Baroque music?

A collection of stylized dances, often preceded by a prelude or overture.

What is a French overture?

A two-part musical form used in operas and suites, featuring a slow, stately opening followed by a faster section.

What does over-dotting refer to in French Baroque music?

A rhythmic technique where dotted notes are exaggerated, lengthening the dotted note and shortening the following one.

What is improvisation in Baroque performance?

The spontaneous creation of music, often used to embellish melodies.

What is an oratorio?

A large-scale musical work for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually on a religious theme, without staging.

What was the role of patrons in Baroque music?

Composers relied on wealthy patrons or the church for financial support, often commissioning works and sponsoring performances.