Chapter 16 Flashcards
24 Violons du roi (24 Violins of the King)
conducted by Lully for king Louis XIV. disciplined, uniform bowing, coordination of ornaments). one of the earliest orchestras
air
In french opera, less emphasis on the aria (air)
French overture
pioneered by Lully.
a. marked the entry of the king
b. two sections, each played twice
i. homophonic, majestic, dotted rhythms
ii. faster second section, fugal imitation, returns to first section
iii. style example: overture to Lully’s Armide (1686; NAWM 85a)
King Louis XIV
How were the arts administered in France in the time of Louis XIV?
Centralized monarchy
Arts for propaganda, social control (Versailles)
New French style: elegance and restraint
Absolutist rule
Lully
Italian, yet most important musician in French Baroque period.
Conducted 24 violons du Roy.
1672: created distinct French opera (tragedie lyrique) in reaction to Italian opera, which was spreading into France. Pioneered French overture.
Lully given royal privilege which granted him exclusive rights to produce sung drama in France
Based on strong tradition of French spoken tragedy
lament
repeating bass line chromatically descending.
What is a lament is Baroque music?
There is a short, free musical form appearing in the Baroque period called lament. It is typically a set of harmonic variations in homophonic texture, wherein the bass (Lament bass) descends through a tetrachord, usually one suggesting a minor mode.
masque
Court entertainment popular since Henry VIII
SIMILAR TO OPERA: instrumental music, dancing, songs, choruses, costumes, scenery, stage machinery
DIFFERENT FROM OPERA: collaborative spectacle, not a unified drama
motet: petit motet, grand motet
a. petit motet: sacred concerto for few voices with continuo
b. grand motet: soloists, contrasting large and small choruses, orchestra
prologue
Prologue dedicated to Louis XIV: parallels his reign to ancient Greece and Rome
Purcell
Dido and Aeneas (1689), “Thy Hand Belinda” (recit) and “When I am Laid in Earth” . laments.
a. entire career supported by royal patronage
b. held prestigious and simultaneous positions
i. organist at Westminster Abbey, organist of Chapel Royal, organ maker and keeper of king’s instruments, composer to the court
c. buried in Westminster Abbey
d. wrote enormous amounts of music in almost all genres
e. greatest gift in setting English words both naturally and emotionally expressive
NOT VERY IMPORTANT
tragedie lyrique
French opera. created in reaction to Italian opera spreading into france. created by Lully
zarzuela
Zarzuela: predominant musical theatre genre in Spain; sung and spoken dialogue
