Music History ch. 8-10

concerto

work for solo intstument/s accompanied by orchestra, usually with 3 movements

ornamentation

decoration of music to spice it up (i.e. - trill, turn, etc.)

trill

type of ornamentation, rapid alternation w/ note above it

turn

type of ornamentation, group of 4 or 5 notes that "turn around" the note given in the notation

sequence

repetition of a melodic motive or short phrase at different pitch levels

arpeggio

chord whose tones are played in succession rather than simultaneously

recitative

declamatory type of singing used particulary in operas and oratories (free rhythm, uncomplicated melody, and a clanty of church)

equal temperament

method of tuning instruments

progression

movement of chords

basso continuo

playing instrument also plays the bass line and adds chords above it as indicated by figured bass

figured bass

form of musical shorthand in which the choradal accompaniment is indicated by #s above or below the bass line, w/ some freedom of interpretattion left to the performer

counterpoint

texture in which 2 or more voices proceed relatively independently

cantata

vocal composition developed for chorus and/or solor voice/s, based on secular or religious texts, including several movements, and accompanied by an instruments ensemble

oratorio

religious or secular work for solor voices, chorus, and orchestra, usually presented w/o staging or scenery

opera

drama expressed through music, w/ dialogue generally sung rather than spoken; developed first in Italy in the 17th century

fugue

contrapuntal composuition based on a main melody, called a subject, that is presented in turn by each voice - usually 3-5 in # and then repeated in different keys before ending in the original tonic

suite

composition consisting of a # of dance movements loosely linked. aka ordre or partia

clavichord

small keyboard instrument in which small, matal tangents strike strings when the keys are depressed

concertato style

style emphasizing contrast w/ performing groups playing or singing in alternation w/ one anotherq

subject (in a fugue)

primary melody

toccata

viruoso composition in free form, usually for keyboard