Music History Exam #2

Major Scale Formula

WWHWWWH

Natural Minor Scale

WHWWHWW

pentatonic scale

5 note scale (1,2,3,5,6)

Chromatic scale

scale of half steps

Melodic Minor Scale

a minor scale with raised 6th and 7th scale degrees ascending

Harmonic Minor Scale

a minor scale with a raised 7th scale degree

Tonic

first note of a scale

Subdominant

4th scale degree

Dominant

5th scale degree

List 2 baroque composers from Italy

Monteverdi and Vivaldi

List 2 Baroque composers from France

Romeau and Couperin

List 2 Baroque composers from England

Handel and Purcell

List 2 Baroque Composers from Germany

Bach and Bextehude

What developments led to the invention of opera?

The works of florentine camerata and the influence of Ancient Greek drama

What are the basic elements of an opera?

Libretto, acting, costumes, orchestra, singers, set

What 2 parts are in a piece from an opera?

Recitative and Aria

What does vigorous rhythm mean?

Steady

What is continuous melody?

A melody that keeps moving with no repetition of themes

What is doctrine of affections?

The idea that music could envoke specific emotions

What does terraced dynamics mean?

Dynamics on levels rather than crescendoes and decrescendos

What is ostinato?

a repeated bass line

What are the parts of a French overture?

1st section: homophobic texture. Dotted rhythms

2nd section: dance like, faster, polyphonic texture

3rd section (optional): like first section

What is a de capo aria?

An aria in ABA form

What were Beach's three most important places of employment? What did he do at each?

1) Weimar (1708-1717)- organist

2) Cothen (1717-1723)- chamber music

3) Leipieg (1723-1750)- choir director

What was the important media for which Bach composed?

Choral- Lutheran cantata, passion, a mass (mass in B minor)

Chamber- sonatas, prelude & fugue, suites, concerto

Solo singing- recitative and aria

Instrumental music- chorale, motet, prelude & fugue

What is an example of text painting in Bach'e sacred vocal music?

32nd notes to represent tearing of veil of the temple in St Matthew's Passion

What countries did Handel live in?

Hamburg (Hamburg), Italy, Hanover (Germany)

What 3 types of music is Handel best known for?

Operas, oratories, organ concertos

What instruments are important during the baroque period?

harpsichord, violin, flute, bassoon, viola, recorder, trumpet

What is the difference between a solo concerto and concerto grosso?

a solo concerto is on soloist accompanied by an orchestra. A concerto grosso is is a group of solo instruments accompanied by an orchestra

What three types of music is Vivaldi best known for?

Sonatas, concertos, sacred vocal music

What are some descriptive elements in Vivaldi's spring concerto?

Birds chirping- violin

Slow slurred violin- sleeping goatherd

Bass instruments drone- bag pipes

Barking dog

What are the four most important dances? Give meter, tempo, and country of origin

Allemande- 4/4- moderato- Germany

Courante- 3/2 or 6/4- vivace- French

Sarabande- 3/4- slow (Grave, largo, adiago)- Spanish

Gigue- compound meter (3/8, 6/8, 12/8)- allegro(brisk)- England

What is a trio sonata?

2 soloists with continuo

What is a prelude?

A short piece that serves as an intro to a larger composition

What is a fugue?

a musical composition that uses 2 interwoven melodies based on a single musical idea

What is a passacaglia?

Continuous variations on ground bass line

What is the subject of a fugue?

Main theme of fugue

What is the answer of a fugue?

Subject in the dominant

What is the counter subject in a fugue?

secondary theme used wot by subject

What is the episode in a fugue?

Passage without the subject

What 3 classifications are used to define range?

Narrow (5th or less)

Medium (octave)

Wide (octave +)

What can be used to describe a melody?

Conjunct/disjunct, contour, range

What terms can be used to describe texture? Define

Monophony- only melody

homophony- melody with accompaniment

Polyphony- more than 1 melody

Heterophony- same melody slightly different

What are the names for forms of pieces?

Binary (AABB) and Ternary (ABA)

What 8 terms are used to describe tempo?

Grave, largo, adiago, andante, moderato, allegro, vivace, presto

What words are used to describe the dynamic of music?

pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo

When was the Baroque period?

1600-1750

Who wrote "Dido and Aeaneas"? What are the recitative and aria called that we listened to in class?

Purcell; "They Hand Belinda", "When I Am Laid in Earth"

Who wrote "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme"?

Bach

Who wrote "Zion hort die Wachter singen" (Zion hears the Watchmen)

Bach

Who wrote "water music- alla Hornpipe"?

Handel

Who wrote the Messiah? What pieces from the messiah were played in class?

Handel, "Rejoice Greatly" and "Hallelujah!"

Who wrote "Contrapuntus 1"?

Bach

Who wrote "Spring" from the fours seasons?

Vivaldi

Who wrote "Rondeau"

Mouret