Define tempo (pg. 7)
Secular French poet-composers were known as what? (pg. 32) troubadors
Why is most of the surviving music from the Medieval period religious? (pg. 32)
Much secular music was not written down
How did musicians transmit music from generation to generation during this period? (pg. 32)
What is antiphonal music? (pg. 39)
How did musicians embellish the Mass while still staying within the structure required? (pg. 46)
Define the following types of Gregorian Chant: (Notes) (pg. 6)
Name the five parts of an ordinary mass. (pg. 28)
How did secular vs. sacred music change in the Renaissance period? (pg. 57)
What is a virginal? (pg. 72)
What are some ways that composers could provide variety within imitative polyphony? (pg. 64)
Who was Hildegard von Bingen? (pg. 36)
Describe the ways John Dowland’s “Can She Excuse My Wrongs” was set in a variety of ways. Why was this done? (pg. 74) It was very popular – voice and lute original, solo lute, solo harpsichord, and solo bandora (wire string lute like instrument), 4 voices (or viols)
Describe ways Renaissance music was used in dramatic settings. (pg. 94)
Songs within plays, accompaniment to dance performances, part of stage productions, interludes between acts of plays
What instrument was commonly used to accompany a singer during the Renaissance period? (pg. 71 and notes) lute
What is a suspension? (pg. 66) dissonant notes that clash with the harmonies being played
What is word painting? (pg. 68) – imitating the sounds described by the text
What is a pavan? (pg. 71) slow, stately dance
What is a broken consort? (pg. 71) Instrumental group of mixed instruments (also called mixed consort)
What is a strophic song? (pg. 72) separate verses with repeating chorus. Each verse is set to the same music.
Baroque
Monteverdi is credited for mastering what musical genre? (pg. 91-92) opera
When Monteverdi referred to music serving the words which musical style was he referring to? (pg. 86) recitative
Were there women in the cast of Orfeo? (pg. 97) No
What is a castrato? (pg. 99) A countertenor? (pg. 126) castrato – male singer who was castrated before his voice changed, used in baroque Italian opera. countertenor – men singing alto part in falsetto.
What is figured bass? (pg. 101) – shorthand notation of the chordal structure in a basso continuo
What is an Oratorio? (pg. 119) – a large scale setting of a religious drama, typically in an operatic style but not staged.
What is a da capo aria? (pg. 136)
What is recitativo secco vs. recitativo accompagnato (pg. 128-129)
What is a cadenza? In a concerto? (pg. 304), In a vocal piece? (pg. 135)
Describe the following terms (pg. 22-29, glossary)
Almost all baroque dances are written in this form (pg. 162) AABB
What are the characteristics of Opera Seria? (pg. 121)
How are Opera Seria and Oratorio similar? How are they different? (pg. 122)
What is a cadence? (pg. 132)
Close of musical phrase or student
What is a ritornello? (pg. 133) passage of music that recurs within a movement
How did Handel typically compose a chorus? (pg. 136)
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Text in brief phrases
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Each phrase has its own melody
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Combine shorter phrases together to create long phrases
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Combine multiple melodies
What is a fugue chorus? How is it constructed? (pg. 140)
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Subject that is the main melody
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Exposition – melody introduced in each section of the chorus
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Episode – subject melody is not present
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Polyphonic texture
What is a cantata? (pg. 150)
Large, multimovement work featuring chorus and/or solo voice, usually with orchestra accompaniment, performed in chuches or at concerts.
What purposes did Bach compose keyboard works for? (pg. 155)
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Pedagogical works for his students
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Foundations for Bach’s improvisations
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To demonstrate Bach’s skill at the keyboard
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For pleasure
What is Bach’s Collection of preludes and fugues in a 24 major and minor keys called? (pg. 155)
The Well Tempered Clavier
What is a fugue in Bach’s time? Describe the different parts of the fugue. (pg. 167)
Fugue – a polyphonic imitative composition using a single theme. Parts include:
Subject – the theme of the fugue
Exposition – the opening section where all parts play the subject
Countersubject – a melody in another voice whenever the subject occurs.
Episode – a passage where the subject is not played in it’s entirety.
In a prelude and fugue are the two parts thematically linked? (pg. 157) No – the prelude and fugue will be in the same key, but they will have contrasting themes and melodies.
Describe Bach’s collegium concerts (pg. 153)
These concerts featured: university student performers, great virtuoso soloists, and were performed to discerning audiences and were well rehearsed.
What does BWV refer to? (pg. 155) The catalog of Bach’s works by Wolfgang Schmieder
What does a French suite include? (pg. 160) multiple movements in ritornello form, elaborate oboe solos, a full chorus, and a string soloist with harpsichord accompaniment.
What is a concerto? Who created the standard form for a concerto? (pg. 163)
A three movement work featuring a contrast between a soloist and the orchestra. The first movement often used ritornello form. Vivaldi created the standard form of the concerto. The soloist would traditionally enter after the orchestra introduced the main themes.
What rhythm did a gavotte use? (pg. 162) four beat rhythm with two upbeats and a strong downbeat.
What is a gigue? (pg. 162) a dance featuring a quick triple rhythm
Why was Bach’s music neglected in his time? (pg. 166) The audiences tastes were changing in favor of simple melodies and more transparent textures.
What is counterpoint? (pg. 159) the art of creating simultaneous independent melodies
Classical
What type of music was more popular in the Classical period? Instrumental or vocal? (pg. 169)
Instrumental
What musical work was created in the Classical Period? (pg. 175) the Symphony
Who standardized the form of the Symphony? (pg. 209) Franz Joseph Haydn
What chamber group is Haydn given credit for developing? (Haydn worksheet) String Quartet
What are the individual pieces of a Symphony called? (pg. 219) movements
What helped create new audiences in the Classical Era? (pg. 171) Concert halls and public concerts, subscription concerts, music publishing and music magazines
How was Beethoven different from earlier composers working professionally. (How he was paid). (pg. 212) He was an independent musician – he did not rely on the assistance of royalty or a wealthy patron.
In Beethovens’ time, what did audiences expect to hear at a concert? (pg. 215) overtures, symphonies, vocal music, and improvisations by the featured performer. They expected new music throughout.
What instrument was Beethoven famous for playing? (pg. 212) pianoforte
How are the four movements of a Symphony typically constructed? (pg. 219)
1st movement is the longest part, and in sonata form. 2nd movement is the slow movement, third movement is the minuet and trio(or some other dance form), 4th movement is the finale and is usually in rondo form.
How did Beethoven change the Symphony? (pg. 209) How does he create unity across the four movements of the Fifth Symphony? (pg. 226) Prior to Beethoven’s time the Symphony was a loud introduction to a concert, meant to get the audiences attention – Beethoven turned into the most important work on the concert. Beethoven changed it by: adding instruments (piccolo, trombone, contrabassoon), and connecting the third and fourth movements without a break. In order to create unity throughout the Symphony Beethoven used the same theme (short short short long) throughout the four movements of the symphony and tied it together by starting in c minor and ending in C Major.
Who was the Eroica Symphony originally dedicated to? Why was it changed? (pg. 213) Napolean – it was changed when Napolean made himself Emperor and this angered Beethoven
How were Classical Era Themes constructed? (pg. 219-220) pairs of short melodic phrases with similar music.
What is chamber music? (pg. 223) music performed by a small number of people, originally intended for a small audience.
Describe Sonata Form – where is the tension the highest? (pg. 222) Are memorable melodic statements thematic? What are the passages between thematic moments called? Describe the different parts of Sonata Form (exposition, etc.) (pg. 220)
Sonata form consists of exposition, development, and recapitulation – The development is the point of highest tension. The memorable moments are thematic, and the unsettled passages in between are transtitions.
Describe Theme and Variations (pg. 221) The main melody is repeated multiple times, changing with each new presentation, with embellishments that often increase in tempo.
What is the form of a minuet and trio? (pg. 221) AABB CCDD AB (ABA)
What dies bel canto mean? (pg. 180) fluid Italian vocal style - translated beautiful song
Why was Don Giovanni such a success? (pg. 177-178)
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Clarity of the drama and text
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Power of Mozart’s music
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Quality of performances
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Emotional connection between music and words
Don Giovanni
is based on the story of Don Juan (pg. 177)
What happens to Don Giovanni at the end opera? (pg. 178) He is dragged to hell by the statue of the man that he killed at the beginning of the opera
What is the “little book” with the text of an opera called? (pg. 182) libretto
Why was the premiere of Don Giovanni delayed? (pg. 190)
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The singers refused to rehearse on days of performances
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The staging, sets, and costumes were complicated
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The comedic acting required careful planning and rehearsal
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The singers could not memorize the music quickly enough – it was too complicated
Describe the pit orchestra for Don Giovanni (pg. 191)
There was a small string section, flues, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, and kettle drums. Three small stage bands are needed in the finale of Act 1.
How do the the operatic finales in Mozart’s operas typically conclude? (pg. 190) with chaos
Why does time typically stand still in Mozart’s arias? (pg. 190) So the actors can react to a plot twist, express strong emotions, reflect on the progress of the drama, o to explain something in the plot.
Define drama giocoso (pg. pg. 182) a playful drama – mixes serious and comic elements
What is a Schubertiade? Where were they held? (pg. 235) intimate social gatherings featuring the music of Franz Schubert, performed in private homes. They were informal gatherings involving socializing, eating, drinking, dancing, and music
What would a 19th century chamber music performance be like? (pg. 235-236) performed by amateurs in private salons (see above).
Why was Schubert’s music not more widely known in his lifetime? (pg. 254) Most of his music was performed for small audiences in homes.
What is a lied? What form were Schubert’s lieder similar to? (pg. 243-244) – lied is a german song – Schubert’s lieder were similar to folk songs
How many lieder did Schubert compose between 1810 and 1828? (pg. 244) 600
What does a string quartet consist of? (pg. 252) 2 violins, viola, cello
Why is Schubert often considered to be an early Romantic composer? (pg. 254) his music was personal and intimate in nature
What was Schubert most known for? (pg. 254) flowing, lyrical melodies
What instruments are in a piano quintet? (pg. 252) piano, 2 violins, viola, cello
Describe the following song forms: (pg. 243-244, glossary)
Strophic – a song in which the same music repeats for each stanza of the text
Modified Strophic – a song that has significant repetition of music but has changes that highlight the drama of the song
Through-composed song – a song in which the music and text change continually
Song cycle – a group of lieder organized around a common theme
Art song - a simple, mannered song for voice and piano
Romantic
What is program music? (pg. 265) purely instrumental music that is intended to describe a specific story.
What is a character piece? (pg. 317) brief, evocative musical miniatures with descriptive titles.
What is a cross-rhythm? (pg. 321) when two meters sound simultaneously.
Throughout the Romantic Era, artists of many disciplines turned their attention to depicting what? (pg. 265) the interior states of the soul
What was the relationship between Romantic Artists and their artistic traditions? (pg. 268)
They wished to push beyond the rules securing the traditions.
Romantic artists were preoccupied with what? (pg. 269) nature, drugs, the supernatural, the exotic
What was Berlioz’s ultimate goal? (pg. 270) become a successful opera composer
What did Berlioz distribute to the audience at the premiere of Symphonie Fantastique?
(pg. 271) a program with the plot of the symphony
Why was the Symphonie Fantastique described as symmetrical? (pg. 278) it has two fast outer movements surrounding a scherzo in the middle
What is the recurring melody that refers to the narrators obsession called? (pg. 279) idee fixe
What is an idee fixe? Recurring melody How was it used in the opening of Symphony Fantastique? With large jumps (disjunct melody)How is it used (pg. 279) in the Fifth Movement? (pg. 289) – turns into a grotesque sacrilegious dance
Where did Berlioz take materials from in order to complete the Symphony? (pg. 281) His own previous works
Why is Symphony Fantastique fundamentally Romantic? (pg. 292) it focuses on the inner struggles of the individual.
Is the Symphony Fantastique still performed today? (pg. 265) Yes, very frequently
How did Symphony Fantastique effect the programmatic symphony? (pg. 291) It made it much more popular
Describe the following instruments: (pg. 274-275)
Ophicleide – bass instrument of the brass family, invented in the 19th century
Serpent – used in 19th century French churches to accompany chant
English horn - a lower pitched oboe
Piston trumpet – a new 19th century brass instruments that provided more flexibility than its predecessors
Eb Clarinet – used in 19th century French military bands
What two instruments were most concertos in the 19th century written for? When does the soloist typically start playing in a concerto? (pg. 295) violin and piano
What is the biggest challenge when writing a concerto? (pg. 295) finding a balance between musical substance and viruosic display
What was the central solo instrument of the Romantic Period? (pg. 317) violin
What Shakespeare play did Mendehlssohn write an overture for? (pg. 299) A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What composer is Mendelssohn often compared to? In what way? (pg. 314) The Romantic Mozart
How does a violinist demonstrate virtuosity? (pg. 303) playing fast,playing high, playing multiple notes at the same time, playing loud
Why did Mendehlssohn struggle to compose concertos? (pg. 301) He prized musical depth over technical virtuosity
In Carnaval, what event are the characters attending? (pg. 317) a masked ball
How did Robert Schumann evoke the music of Chopin? (pg. 338) lyrical melody, a stormy undercurrent, surprising harmonic shifts, fluid, arpeggiated accompaniment
What composer did Clara Schumann become known as the leading interpreter of? (pg. 317) Robert Schumann
What did Wagner use as inspiration for the Ring cycle? (pg. 346) Norse Legend
How large was Wagner’s orchestra? How did this compare to others? (pg. 356) 125 Musicians – Berlioz Symphony Fantastique had 86, Stravinsky had 99
What is the term for the brief musical themes Wagner uses to depict characters, objects, and places? (pg. 346) leitmotifs
Why was Wagner unhappy when the audience applauded at the premiere of the Valkyrie?
(pg. 368) He wanted the piece to be a solemn, ritual experience
What instrument did Wagner develop? (pg. 356) Wagner Tuba
What group did Dvorak think contained America’s “musical voice”? (pg. 373) Native Americans and African Americans
What is syncopation? (pg. 382) a rhythm where the accented note is played on a weak beat What American community uses syncopation in it’s folk music? African Americans
Why was Dvorak considered a nationalist? (pg. 373) He excelled at expressing the spirit of the Bohemian people. He also used folk melodies, rhythms, and myths
What form is Dvorak’s 1st movement of Symphony #9 in? Is that typical? (pg. 384) Sonata form
Why did critics think the New World Symphony was not an American work? (pg. 394)
people questioned the idea that the symphony was an American work because Dvorak was not an American.
What romantic composer is credited with bringing Bach’s music to popularity? (pg. 166) Mendelssohn