Music Appreciation

Baroque Period

Musical era from 1600 to 1750.

Basso Continuo (Basso Cont.)

Continuous bass line, typically played by a harpsichord or organ and a low melodic instrument (like a cello).

Recitative

Vocal style that imitates the natural inflections of speech, usually syllabic, used for monologues/dialogues, and moves the plot along with sparse accompaniment

Aria

A highly melodic song for a solo voice that is typically very emotional, revealing a character's feelings

Melismas

The singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession.

Homophonic

Musical texture where one main melody is supported by a chordal accompaniment.

Polyphonic

Musical texture where two or more independent melodic lines are combined, often through imitation (like in a Fugue)

Harpsichord

A popular Baroque keyboard instrument where strings are plucked; often part of the Basso Continuo.

Organ

A keyboard instrument prominent in the Baroque, used in both church music (like J.S. Bach's) and as part of the Basso Continuo

Equal Temperament

The system of tuning a keyboard instrument that adjusts pitches to make music sound correct in all keys

Opera

A drama in musical form combining vocal/instrumental music using soloists, ensembles, chorus, orchestra, and sometimes ballet.

Overture

The instrumental opening at the beginning of an act that often introduces melodies of the arias

Chorus

A large group of singers, or the music sung by them.

Ensembles

Musical sections for two or more solo singers (duets, trios, quartets, etc.) where characters show feelings and may move the plot.

Libretto

The text or script of an opera written for the composer.

Librettist

The person who writes the text or script (the libretto) of an opera

Secco Recitative

Recitative accompanied only by the Basso Continuo

Accompanied Recitative

Recitative accompanied by the orchestra

Da-Capo Aria

A type of aria in ternary ($ABA$) form, where the first section is repeated after the second (Da Capo means "from the beginning"

Claudio Monteverdi

Early Baroque composer who introduced new orchestral effects (pizzicato and tremolo) and composed the first great opera, Orfeo

Orfeo

One of the earliest surviving operas, composed by C. Monteverdi

Dido and Aeneas

English opera by Henry Purcell

Cantata

Italian for "to sing"; a work for solo voice, chorus, and instrumentalists, consisting of several movements (usually seven), including recitatives and arias

Lutheran Church

The religious setting where J.S. Bach's church cantatas, which feature Chorales, were prominent.

Chorales

Hymns; simple, easily singable melodies used by the congregation in the Lutheran Church.

Chorale Prelude

A prelude used to introduce a Chorale to the congregation

J.S. Bach

Prolific German composer of the Late Baroque, famous for his Cantatas and Fugues.

Oratorio

A large-scale dramatic work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, similar to opera but typically without staging or costumes, often performed in a Concert Hall.

Handel (G.F.)

German-born composer, prominent in England, famous for his English Oratorios (like Messiah).

Concerto

Latin for "to contend with"; an extended composition for instrumental soloist and orchestra in three movements (usually Fast-Slow-Fast

Movement

A piece that sounds complete but is part of a larger work

Solo Concerto

A concerto for a single solo instrument (e.g., violin) and an accompanying instrumental group (often string orchestra + continuo

Concerto Grosso

A concerto based upon a small group (concertino) vs. a large group (tutti/ripieno), typically also in three movements (Fast-Slow-Fast).

Concertino

The small "solo" group in a Concerto Grosso.

Ritornello Form

A structure (often in the first and last movements of a Concerto) that opens with the Ritornello (refrain) played by the tutti, which alternates with virtuosic solo sections.

Ritornello

The opening refrain in Ritornello Form, always played by the tutti (orchestra) in whole or in part; the last one is in the home key (Tonic I)

Antonio Vivaldi

Known as the "Red Priest"; famous Italian Baroque composer of solo concertos, including The Four Seasons (a violin solo concerto)

Brandenburg Concertos

A set of six famous Concerto Grosso pieces by J.S. Bach

Suite

Instrumental music associated with dancing (Dances from Europe), typically a set of dance-inspired movements all composed in one key

Water Music and Royal Fireworks

Famous Orchestral Suites by Handel

Fugue

A polyphonic form based on imitation; the main theme (subject) is stated in one voice and then repeated/imitated in others ($S A T B$ voices)

Subject

The main theme that gives the fugue its character.

Trio Sonata

A work with three melodic lines: two upper melodies (often violins) and the Basso Continuo

Arcangelo Corelli

The most prominent Italian violinist and composer of string music