Baroque Era Flashcards
(45 cards)
Basso Continuo
Two performers:
- Playing noted bass line
- Realizing the harmonies (as indicated by the figured bass)
Equal Temperament
Method of tuning keyboards. Done by dividing all semitones within an octave equally, therefore creating harmonic equivalents.
Homophonic
Accompanying parts in the same rhythm as the melody
Polyphonic
Two or more parts, each with its own melody
Terraced Dynamics
Change of dynamics abruptly resulting in a stark contrast
The “affections”
Emotional states of the soul, one affection generally projected throughout entire composition and movement
Ospedale della Pietà
Vivaldi Worked Here
Drone
A continuous low humming sound
Ostinato
Continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm
Ripieno
Refers to the bulk of instrumental parts of a musical ensemble who do not play as soloists, especially in Baroque Music.
Ritornello Form
A recurring passage in baroque music
Bach’s birthplace
Germany
Bach’s birth and death years
1685 - 1750
Bach’s education
Greek and Latin theology
Instruments Bach played
Violin and organ
Bach’s places of employment
Arnstadt
St Thomas school
Collegium Musicum
Bach’s patrons
Duke of Weimar
Prince Leopold of Cöthen
Genres Bach cultivated
None, he perfected the baroque style
Hallmarks of Bach’s style
Influences of international styles
Virtuoso composer
Dedicated all works to the Glory of God
Anna Magdalena Wilcke
Bach’s second wife
Da Capo Aria
Very common opera/oratorio
Ternary form
In performances, section A is ornamented
French Overature
Two parts (1. Slow, homophonic, rhythmic flexibility 2. Fast, imitative style)
Orchestral
Homorhythmic texture
All voices sing the same rhythm, resulting in blocked chordal textures)
Libretto
Text of the opera (usually not written by the composer)
