And The Glory Of The Lord Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is an oratorio?
A large-scale composition for solo singers, choir and orchestra - usually based on a biblical story
When was messiah composed?
1741
Where was messiah composed?
London
Where was messiah originally performed?
Concert halls and theatres
What is ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ in messiah?
The first chorus
What is the choir made up of?
Sopranos, altos, tenors, basses
What is the choir accompanied by?
String and continuo (for cello and harpsichord or organ)
What does the organ do in and the glory of the Lord?
Double the vocal lines
What is the name given to the orchestral introduction?
Ritornello
Describe the structure?
No set structure - based on the four motifs
First motif? First sung by who?
And the glory the glory of the Lord
First sung by altos
Second motif? First sung by who?
Shall be revealed
First sung by altos
What techniques are used in the second motif?
It uses a descending sequence and a melisma on the word revealed
Third motif? First sung by who?
And all flesh shall see it together
First sung by altos
Fourth motif? First sung by who?
For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it
First sung by tenors and basses
Why does the fourth motif sound quite solemn?
Most of it is on the same pitch and it uses longer notes
What is the metre of and the glory of the Lord?
3/4
What is the tempo of and the glory of the Lord?
Fast - allegro
Until the end where there is a general pause
Then three bars of a slower tempo - adagio
What is the meaning of hemiola?
Where the music feels as if it is in 2/4 rather than 3/4
What key is the piece in?
A major
Which keys does the piece modulate to?
The dominant - e major
The supertonic - B major
How does the work end?
Plagal cadence - a major
What is the harmony like?
Diatonic
What is the texture like?
It alternates between homophonic and contrapuntal
There is a very short monophonic passage
