Classical Period Definitions

Question 1

Piano Concerto

Answer 1

Piano soloist + orchestra interact together usually in 3 or 4 movements. Piano soloist shows off his technical ability, orchestra provides harmonic support.

Question 2

String Trio

Answer 2

A group of three instruments that play together, Violin, Viola and Cello.

Question 3

Lieder

Answer 3

Song based on a poem, sung in German as a solo with piano accompaniment where the accompaniment aims to represent the feeling or mood of the piece.

Question 4

Song Cycle

Answer 4

Is a collection of art songs(lieder) (plural of lied) which has a recurring theme or is connected through a story. Solo singer + piano accompaniment in German.

Question 5

Sonata Form

Answer 5

Consists of three sections within a large movement.

• Exposition-exposes 2 main contrasting themes
• Development-2 themes are developed in various keys
• Recapitulation-2 themes return in tonic key to end with a coda(tail end of piece)

Question 6

Opera

Answer 6

Musical drama performed on stage with full lighting + props. Usually has soloists SATB and a chorus accompanied by an orchestra.

Question 7

Aria

Answer 7

Solo song in an opera for SATB voice fully accompanied by orchestra. Shows off technical ability of soloist.

Question 8

String Quartet

Answer 8

4 instruments perform together-2 violins, viola and cello

Question 9

Overture

Answer 9

Piece of instrumental music heard at start of opera which contains the main themes of that opera performed by orchestra. Function of overture is to allow audience to take their seats before the opera begins but became an independent form in later years.

Question 10

Symphony

Answer 10

Large scale instrumental work performed by orchestra in 4 movements.

1. Allegro, fast major key in sonata form
2. Adagio, slow minor key
3. Scherzo or minuet + trio
4. Allegro, fast major key in rondo form.

Question 11

Oratorio

Answer 11

Religious themed opera soloists SATB chorus, full orchestra, performed in church, no costumes/props/lights etc.

Question 12

Sonata

Answer 12

“to sound” is a solo instrumental piece of music. E.g. Moonlight Sonata Beethoven.

Question 13

Rondo

Answer 13

Type of form which has a recurring theme called a ritornello (meaning little return) it uses this recurring theme in between various episodes. E.g. ABACADA

Question 14

Recitative

Answer 14

Sing song speech like piece of music heard in an opera, sung by a soloist SATB before an Aria. There are two types:

(1) Recitative Secco - minimal / sparse accompaniment.
(2) Recitative Accompagnato - fully accompanied

Question 15

Perdendo

Answer 15

Getting gradually quieter and dying away.

Question 16

Concerto

Answer 16

An instrumental piece of music for one or more soloists and full orchestra made up of three contrasting movements. The movements are in the order fast, slow, fast.

Question 17

Cadenza

Answer 17

A section of a musical work in which a soloist plays to show off his or her technical skill. This is some times improvised and is a very artistic passage usually performed near to the end of a work such as a concerto.

Question 18

Suite

Answer 18

A set of musical pieces considered to be one composition played by a full orchestra that were originally composed to be performed in a concert setting.

Question 19

Coloratura

Answer 19

A style of singing containing a lot of high pitched notes that is very ornate. Common in operas.

Question 20

Div.

Answer 20

Where 2 or more notes are played simultaneously but double stopping is not possible so the notes are divided between groups of players.

Question 21

Scherzando

Answer 21

Playfully

Question 22

Con sordini/senza sordini

Answer 22

Play with/ without mute

Question 23

Unis.

Answer 23

Play in unison (after div. passage)

Question 24

Sul Ponticello

Answer 24

Bring the bow near the bridge to create higher pitched notes.

Question 25

///

Answer 25

Tremolo is creating a trembling effect by playing the note again and again in quick succession as semiquavers.

Question 26

Più

Answer 26

More

Question 27

Scherzo

Answer 27

A vigorous light or playful composition typically comprising a movement in a symphony or sonata.

Question 28

Sf

Answer 28

Emphasised

Question 29

sffz-p

Answer 29

Emphasised and very loud to soft

Question 30

a2 or zu2

Answer 30

Both instruments play all notes that follow in unison.