Music History Exam 2

Sonata Form

Standard way to organize first and sometimes last movements, includes exposition, development, and recapitulation

Ritornello Form

A musical structure often used in Baroque concertos, where a main theme alternates with contrasting sections played by a soloist, the main theme (the ritornello) serves as an anchor throughout the piece

ABBA form

Musical structure where the sections follow the pattern A-B-B-A, meaning the first section (A) is repeated after a contrasting section (B) is played twice

Rondo form

Musical structure characterized by the recurrence of a main theme that alternates with contrasting sections, often used in final movements of sonatas and concertos

Symphony

A musical genre that evolved from opera overtures, the initial form was three movements with the tempi being fast-slow-fast, but minuet and trio movements in the position of the third, leading to the now standard four movement form

Villancico

Genre that is now associated with Christmas, the form is ABBA, the A section is known as the estribillo, and the B sections are the cobras

Concerto

A musical genre that consists of a soloist or group of soloists playing with a large ensemble

Oratorio

A genre designed to replace opera during lent, essentially an unstaged opera on a sacred subject, “The Passion” is an oratorio about Jesus’ suffering

Cantata

Replaced the madrigal as main vocal genre, new genre that emerged during Baroque era

Basso Continuo

Form of musical accompaniment that was used in the Baroque era, it involves a bass line played by one or more instruments (such as cello or bassoon), with harmonies improvised or realized by a chordal instrument (like harpsichord or organ)

Mehter

Refers to Ottoman military band, considered one of the oldest forms of military music in the world, features heavy percussion and wind instruments

Recitative

A style of singing associated with speech used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas; uses minimal instrumentation because the primary focus is clearly delivering the text

Aria

A solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment, used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas; text is delivered in a more musical way than recitative

Seconda Prattica

Style of Baroque composition, emphasizes expression of emotion over strict contrapuntal rules, often allows dissonances and freer harmonies to enforce the meaning of the words

Patronage

Refers to financial support provided by wealthy individuals, nobles, or institutions (like the church) to composers and musicians

Baroque Era

From 1600-1750, the term originally came from art history and means “misshapen pearl”, associated with exaggerated forms of expression and extreme architectural ornamentation, music became more focused on expressing emotion

Classical Era

From 1750-1825, the term is associated with quality, excellence, and classical antiquity, musicians began to rely more on audiences than patronage from nobility, new idea emerged that music could carry ideas and meaning without words