AS01: Western Classical Tradition

Question 1

This is a question about the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel.

Identify three features of DR SMITH from this musical genre. [baroque music]

Answer 1

• D- dynamics- use of terraced dynamics; a range of dynamics could also be used, to reflect the text
• R- rhythm is used to emphasise the text
• S- structure- music is developed using imitation and sequences.
• M- melody- short motif, melody has ornaments; words were syllabic and melismatic, and voices were often treated as instruments
• I- Instrumentation- a small body of strings such as: woodwind and keyboard instruments.
• T- texture- polyphonic texture [counterpoint]; fugue was also used
• H- harmony- diatonic harmony; an expressive use of dissonance could also be used, with a functional harmony, centred around chords I and V [and tonic and dominant pedals]

Question 2

What are the dynamics in the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Hint: reflect

Answer 2

• D- dynamics- use of terraced dynamics; a range of dynamics could also be used, to reflect the text

Question 3

What is the rhythm, in the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Hint: emphasise

Answer 3

• R- rhythm is used to emphasise the text

Question 4

What’s the structure, in the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Answer 4

• S- structure- music is developed using imitation and sequences.

Question 5

In the baroque period, keyboard instruments were also used. Name these instruments. [2]

Answer 5

• harpsichord
• organ

Question 6

What’s the melody, in the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Hint: motif

Answer 6

• M- melody- short motif, melody has ornaments
• ; words were syllabic and melismatic, and voices were often treated as instruments

Question 7

What’s the instrumentation, in the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Answer 7

• I- Instrumentation- a small body of strings such as: woodwind and keyboard instruments.

Question 8

What’s the texture, in the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Hint: what else was used?

Answer 8

• T- texture- polyphonic texture [counterpoint]; fugue was also used

Question 9

What’s the harmony, in the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Hint: chords I and V- what harmony?

Answer 9

• H- harmony- diatonic harmony
• ; an expressive use of dissonance could also be used, with a functional harmony, centred around chords I and V [and tonic and dominant pedals]

Question 10

What’s the tempo and metre, of the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Hint: reflect

Answer 10

• tempo- tempo would reflect the texture
• metre- and the metre, typically stays the same, throughout a movement

Question 11

What’s the tonality of the coronation anthems and oratorios of Handel ?

Hint: keys, closely related

Answer 11

• tonality- use of major and minor keys; modulation is typically to closely related keys

Question 12

In the baroque period, string instruments were used. Name all of these string instruments. [4]

Hint: not harpsichord or organ

Answer 12

• violins
• violas
• cellos
• double bass

Question 13

In the baroque period, woodwind instruments were also used. Name all these instruments. [4]

Answer 13

• flute
• recorder
• oboe
• bassoon

Question 14

In the baroque period, keyboard instruments were also used. Name these instruments. [2]

Answer 14

• harpsichord
• organ

Question 15

What’s the dynamics, of the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Hint: range, variety and contrast

Answer 15

• D- dynamics- variety + contrast with dynamics [e.g- crescendo + sforzando]
• D-dynamics- ; there was also a range of dynamics, which also including crescendo diminuendo and accents, to create drama

Question 16

What’s the rhythm of, of the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Hint: straightforward

Answer 16

• R-rhythm- simple, straightforward rhythms with a strong + steady beat, coupled with a prevailed tempo.

Question 17

What’s the structure of, of the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Answer 17

• S- Structure- sonata, rondo and binary/turnary form

Question 18

What else can you tell me about the texture of, the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

Answer 18

• T- Texture- textures are mainly melody and accompaniment, with tutti, octaves, unison and imitation- this was used for emphasis

Question 19

What’s the melody of, of the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Hint: short balanced

Answer 19

• M- Melody- short balanced (graceful) melodies and periodic phrasing, with clear question and answer phrases.

Question 20

What’s the harmony of, of the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Answer 20

• H-harmony- mainly a simple, diatonic harmony, and a functional harmony, that was centred around chords I and V

Question 21

What can you tell me about the instrumentation of the classical period?

Answer 21

• I- Instrumentation- mostly string instruments; there were others.
• ; string quarters were very popular, and the the piano was used more than the harpsichord

Question 22

What can you tell me about the instrumentation of the classical period?

Hint: etablished the symphony orchestra

Answer 22

• the orchestra was more developed, as it established the symphony orchestra, and tubas and clarinets were used more.
• ; in this musical period, clarinets were also invented

Question 23

What more can you tell me about the texture of the classical period?

Answer 23

• T-Texture- the texture could also be homophonic. (which are clear + light)
• ; the alberti bass pattern developed, made up from using the notes of a chord/triad that was played in a particular order.

Question 24

What else can you tell me about the texture of, the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Answer 24

• T- Texture- textures are mainly melody and accompaniment, with tutti, octaves, unison and imitation- this was used for emphasis

Question 25

What’s metre, of the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Answer 25

• metre- commonly a 2/4 or 4/4 metre in outer movements
• ; 3/4 in a minuet in trio, and 6/8 in a finale or scherzo [a musical composition that is often fast-moving and typically in 3/4]

Question 26

What’s the tonality, of the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven ?

Answer 26

• tonality- use of major and minor keys; modulation is also typically to closely keys

Question 27

This is a question about the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

Identify three features of DR SMITH from this musical genre. [baroque music]

Answer 27

• D- dynamics- variety + contrast with dynamics [e.g- crescendo + sforzando]
• D-dynamics- ; there was also a range of dynamics, which also including crescendo diminuendo and accents, to create drama
• R-rhythm- simple, straightforward rhythms with a strong + steady beat, coupled with a prevailed tempo.
• S- Structure- sonata, rondo and binary/turnary form
• M- Melody- short balanced (graceful) melodies and periodic phrasing, with clear question and answer phrases.
• I- Instrumentation- mostly string instruments; there were others.
• ; string quarters were very popular, and the the piano was used more than the harpsichord
• T-Texture- the texture could also be homophonic. (which are clear + light)
• H-harmony- mainly a simple, diatonic harmony, and a functional harmony, that was centred around chords I and V