Prelim Concepts

Question 1

ritornello

Answer 1

returning passage. In a concerto grosso it is the main theme played by the orchestra

Question 2

concerto grosso

Answer 2

a small group of solo instruments (concertino) accompanied by a larger orchestra (ripieno). also has a basso continuo. common in baroque

Question 3

ripieno

Answer 3

the main, larger group of instruments in a Concerto Grosso

Question 4

Glissando

Answer 4

Rapid sliding through notes

Question 5

concertino

Answer 5

small group of instruments in a concerto grosso

Question 6

state the features of classical music

Answer 6

Large orchestra, more percussion including cymbals, no harpsichord

Question 7

modal

Answer 7

music based on a mode (key) - no black keys

Question 8

how does a diminished 7th chord sound?

Answer 8

sounds scary/dramatic

Question 9

tremolando

Answer 9

rapid up-and-down movement of a bow on a stringed instrument. Wavering effect on one note

Question 10

through-composed

Answer 10

A vocal/choral composition in which there is little or no repetition in the musical structure i.e. not structured as verse/chorus e.g. Bohemian Rhapspdy

Question 11

relative minor

Answer 11

change from major to minor key with the same key signature. the relative minor is 3 semitones lower - e.g. C major to A minor

Question 12

Relative major

Answer 12

Change from a minor key to the relative major key with the same key signature. The relative major is 3 semitones higher e.g. D minor to F major

Question 13

Chromatic

Answer 13

Scale built entirely on semitones (creepy crawlies)

Question 14

Whole tone scale

Answer 14

Scale built entirely on tones (flashback)

Question 15

Imperfect cadence

Answer 15

Unfinished feel

Question 16

Tierce de picardie

Answer 16

The final chord in a minor piece is changed to major

Question 17

Rondo

Answer 17

A form where the first section comes back after each contrasting section ABACADAEA

Question 18

Ground bass

Answer 18

A repeated theme in the bass

Question 19

time changes

Answer 19

change in time signature

Question 20

passacaglia

Answer 20

variations over a ground bass

Question 21

impressionist

Answer 21

imitates impressionist painting in which musical ideas blur to create a vague outline

Question 22

diminution

Answer 22

A passage of music where the length of the notes used is halved, for example, where a crotchet was used originally it would be replaced by a quaver. the piece sounds faster although the overall pulse remains the same