Section A Setworks

Question 1

What are the dates of the Baroque period?

Answer 1

1600-1750

Question 2

Was music during the Baroque period tonal or atonal?

Answer 2

tonal (uses major and minor keys)

Question 3

What is musical ornamentation?

Answer 3

decoration of the main melody using trills, mordents, appogiaturas and acciaccaturas

Question 4

During the Baroque period, do the dynamics change gradually or suddenly (in step)?

Answer 4

suddenly (in step) - this is called terrace dynamics a the music moves quickly between p and f (or vice versa)

Question 5

During the Baroque period, are the harmonies simple or complex?

Answer 5

the harmonies are simple, sticking to the major or minor key of the piece

Question 6

During the Baroque period, how are the melodies built?

Answer 6

with repetition

Question 7

Describe the texture of music from the Baroque period.

Answer 7

contrapuntal (a form of polyphonic texture) - where two independent melodies perform together, linked through their harmonic function

Question 8

What are the key instruments used in the Baroque period?

Answer 8

harpsichord, organ and strings

Question 9

How are melodies accompanied during the Baroque period?

Answer 9

with use of basso continuo

Question 10

Give an example of a famous Baroque composer.

Answer 10

Vivaldi, Handel, Bach or Purcell

Question 11

What are terraced dynamics?

Answer 11

TERRACED DYNAMICS – music in either “loud” or “soft” sections (no use of cresc. or dim.) One “mood” usual lasted throughout a movement although a movement could have “loud” and “soft” sections for contrast.

Question 12

What are the key features of Baroque music?

Answer 12

Contrast, continuo, ornamentation, and tonal harmony

Question 13

What is a continuo?

Answer 13

A group of players are involved in the continuo part but only a bass line is given in the score.

Question 14

Which instruments commonly play the continuo part?

Answer 14

The continuo is often played by cello and/ or double bass.

Question 15

Which instruments extemporise using figured bass?

Answer 15

Instruments capable of interpreting the harmonic implications of the bass line might include harpsichord or organ, or lute (theorbo), depending on what is best suited to the character of the music.

Question 16

What is figured bass?

Answer 16

Figured bass was a way of giving prompts for the continuo player to fill in appropriate harmonies. It was written as a series of numbers below the notated bass line and was often performed by harpsichord, lute (theorbo) or organ (if in a church).

Question 17

What is the meaning of ‘extemporise’?

Answer 17

Keyboard players, for example, would be expected to fill in appropriate harmonies, sometimes indicated by the ‘figured bass’. They had freedom to ‘extemporise’ in terms of constructing a harmonic texture.

Question 18

Where was Baroque music mainly performed?

Answer 18

Baroque music was performed mainly in CHURCH or in the PRIVATE SALONS OF THE RICH with a SMALL ENSEMBLE and SMALL AUDIENCE- known as CHAMBER MUSIC.

Question 19

During the Baroque period, what was a ‘suite’?

Answer 19

Dancing was popular in the Baroque period and the orchestral music which accompanied it was often performed separately (without dancing) as a stand-alone instrumental SUITE.

Question 20

The primary instrument family used during the Baroque period was…

Answer 20

STRINGS - VIOLS (older types of string instruments) popular in the early Baroque, but superseded by VIOLINS, VIOLAS, CELLOS (and later double basses) forming the backbone of the Baroque Orchestra. The LUTE was also a popular string instrument used mainly for solos or accompanying songs.

Question 21

Which woodwind family members were used in the Baroque period?

Answer 21

WOODWIND – FLUTES (wooden), RECORDERS, OBOES and BASSOONS

Question 22

Which brass family members were used in the Baroque period?

Answer 22

–BRASS – TRUMPETS (valveless, hence only being able to play a limited number of pitches) used on special occasions and for dramatic effect only.

Question 23

Which percussion family members were used in the Baroque period?

Answer 23

–PERCUSSION – TIMPANI (kettle drums) the only notable percussion instrument used in the Baroque period, again for special effects and dramatic occasions.

Question 24

Which keyboard instruments were common in the Baroque period?

Answer 24

–KEYBOARD – ORGAN and HARPSICHORD (its “tinkling” timbre easily identifies Baroque from other types of music!) are the main keyboard instruments, both performed the role of the CONTINUO (‘filling out the harmonies’) performing from FIGURED BASS notation. Often the Harpsichord player led the Baroque orchestra (no conductors (or pianos!) yet!)

Question 25

What is the meaning of 'imitation'?

Answer 25

IMITATION - often used in Baroque Orchestral Music – a “dialogue” between instruments copying or echoing each other with the same musical phrase/idea, sometimes at different pitches.

Question 26

What is the meaning of 'sequence'?

Answer 26

SEQUENCE – a short melodic idea, repeated again at a higher or lower pitch, by the same or a different instrument(s).

Question 27

What is a 'tierce de picardie'?

Answer 27

–Pieces written in the Baroque period that are in a minor key often end on a final chord in the TONIC MAJOR – called a TIERCE DE PICARDIE (a major ending in a minor key)

Question 28

What is a perfect cadence?

Answer 28

Perfect cadence (V-I): Strong sense of conclusion

Question 29

What is an imperfect cadence?

Answer 29

Imperfect cadence (x-V): Creates tension, expectation

Question 30

What is a plagal cadence?

Answer 30

Plagal cadence (IV-I): Often associated with "Amen" in sacred music

Question 31

What is an interrupted cadence?

Answer 31

Interrupted cadence (V-vi): Surprise effect, avoids expected resolution

Question 32

What is the meaning of patronage?

Answer 32

Baroque Composers and performers worked under a system of PATRONAGE – they worked for either aristocratic families in Europe and wealthy individuals at court, the church or the opera house. •Baroque composers often received commissions (requests) from their patrons to write and perform music (including Solo Concertos) in return for payment and continued support.

Question 33

What is a Baroque SOLO CONCERTO?

Answer 33

The Baroque SOLO CONCERTO is where a single solo instrument (such as VIOLIN, CELLO, RECORDER, FLUTE, OBOE, BASSOON, TRUMPET or LUTE), was pitted against the weight of the STRING ORCHESTRA which provided the ACCOMPANIMENT (together with the CONTINUO).

Question 34

What are the keay features of a Baroque SOLO CONCERTO?

Answer 34

Baroque Solo Concertos had long, flowing melodies decorated with ORNAMENTS and include SEQUENCES and IMITATION, a mainly POLYPHONIC TEXTURE (with some HOMOPHONIC sections for contrast) and TERRACED DYNAMICS, together with contrasting sections between solo passages accompanied by the CONTINUO and TUTTI passages where everyone plays together.

Question 35

What is the structure of a Baroque SOLO CONCERTO?

Answer 35

Baroque Solo Concertos have THREE MOVEMENTS contrasted by tempo – fast, slow, fast – with a single mood or style within each movement and the fast movements were often written in RITORNELLO form. E.g. Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” featuring a solo violin against a string orchestra with continuo or his “Lute Concerto in D Major” featuring a solo LUTE part, again against string orchestra and continuo.

Question 36

What is a Baroque CONCERTO GROSSO?

Answer 36

A CONCERTO GROSSO is an instrumental form involving two groups of performers: Concertino (a group of soloists) and RIPIENO (tutti string orchestra and continuo)

Question 37

In a CONCERTO GROSSO, what is a CONCERTINO group?

Answer 37

The CONCERTINO) meaning “little ensemble”, featuring a small group of solo instruments and performed by more experienced and technically accomplished performers. Solo instruments for this group could be taken from the following: VIOLIN, CELLO, RECORDER, FLUTE, OBOE, BASSOON and TRUMPET.

Question 38

In a CONCERTO GROSSO, what is a RIPIENO group?

Answer 38

The RIPIENO, meaning “filling”, which ACCOMPANY the CONCERTINO soloists and perform easier or less technically demanding parts. The RIPIENO orchestral accompaniment consists mainly of strings and CONTINUO.

Question 39

What is a FUGUE?

Answer 39

–FUGUE – a main theme (subject) is answered by a second theme (answer) together with other instrumental parts (called “voices”) adding additional lines e.g. counter subject) creating a dense web of POLYPHONIC or CONTRAPUNTAL texture.

Question 40

In the Baroque period, what is a SONATA?

Answer 40

–SONATA – a solo instrument accompanied by the Cello or Harpsichord (CONTINUO), usually in 3-4 contrasting movements and called after the instrument in which they feature e.g. Violin Sonata = solo violin & continuo. Can be performed in a church (SONATA DA CHIESA) or a private salon/chamber (SONATA DA CAMERA).

Question 41

What is a SUITE?

Answer 41

–Formed by grouping a set of shorter pieces together to form a SUITE – contrasting tempo, mood, metres and rhythms; normally in the same key but sometimes tonic minor. –The Baroque Dance Suite had 4 key MOVEMENTS, each normally in BINARY FORM (AB) with each section usually repeated. used for extra musical contrast.

Question 42

What is a COURANTE, from the Baroque Dance Suite?

Answer 42

–COURANTE – normally followed the Allemande, French origin, 3/4 metre, fast tempo, lively character and frequent use of dotted rhythms.

Question 43

What is a SARABANDE, from the Baroque Dance Suite?

Answer 43

–SARABANDE – slow and serious dance originating in Spain, in minim time e.g. 3/2, emphasis on second beat of the bar, often the melody line decorated with ornaments.

Question 44

What is a MINUET, from the Baroque Dance Suite?

Answer 44

–A MINUET – a stately dance of elegant character in 3/4 time often in BINARY FORM but often two different minuets, usually in a contrasting key, were played one after the other, the first minuet repeated at the end to form an overall TERNARY FORM (ABA) structure.

Question 45

During the Baroque period, vocal music consisted primarily of opera and oratorios. What is an opera?

Answer 45

–An OPERA is a SECULAR drama set to music, acted and sung with costumes, scenery and props, by solo singers and a CHORUS, accompanied by an orchestra. The lyrics or text of an opera is called the LIBRETTO (written by a LIBRETTIST). Operas are performed in theatres and concert halls.

Question 46

During the Baroque period, vocal music consisted primarily of opera and oratorios. What is an oratorio?

Answer 46

–ORATORIO developed at the same time but is a SACRED setting of religious words, often from the Bible, for solo singers, chorus and orchestra. Unlike an opera, an oratorio is not “staged” – no costumes, scenery, acting or props and was not performed in theatres – mainly churches or concert halls.

Question 47

What are the shared vocal forms of both opera and oratorio?

Answer 47

–Both OPERA and ORATOIOS are made up of different vocal forms (as well as the occasional instrumental interlude or piece at the beginning – called the OVERTURE). ARIA - solo vocal movement to highlight key messages and emotions, CHORUS - choral movement, RECITATIVE - spoken-sung movement to move the story along.

Question 48

In an opera and oratorio, what is a recitative?

Answer 48

–RECITATIVE – a type of “half spoken/reciting-half sung” singing developed to enhance the meaning of the words. The voice rises and falls following the natural speech rhythms of the words and used to “carry the plot/story forward”.

Question 49

In an opera and oratorio, what is an aria?

Answer 49

–ARIA – a SOLO song sung by one of the main characters, often quite long and expressive and reflecting the character’s mood or emotion at a particular point in the drama/story.

Question 50

In an opera and oratorio, what is a chorus?

Answer 50

CHORUS – often written for SATB voices and orchestra

Question 51

Other than opera and oratorio, what other types of vocal music were heard during the Baroque period?

Answer 51

–Other types of sacred vocal music popular in the Baroque period were: settings of the MASS, CANTATAS (vocal work in several movements with choir accompanied by orchestra), CHORALES, PASSIONS, ANTHEMS.

Question 52

What is a cantata?

Answer 52

–CANTATA – a solo vocal piece accompanied by small continuo, usually in 3-4 contrasting movements

Question 53

Who composed the Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major?

Answer 53

Bach

Question 54

Where was Bach from?

Answer 54

Germany

Question 55

What was Bach's primary instrument?

Answer 55

organ

Question 56

What were Bach's dates?

Answer 56

1685-1750

Question 57

What is a Dance Suite?

Answer 57

The ‘dances’ in the Baroque suite are ‘stylised’ – meaning that they are instrumental forms, not intended for dancing.

Question 58

What are the origins of the dance suite?

Answer 58

The suite had its origins in the popular music of social dancing in the 16th century with its strong rhythms and clear phrasing.

Question 59

How are the dances linked together in a dance suite?

Answer 59

The dances in the Baroque suite often shared the same key, with contrast achieved in tempo, metre or character.

Question 60

When did Bach write his orchestral suites?

Answer 60

Bach wrote his orchestral suites between 1724-1731.

Question 61

What is the instrumentation of Bach's Orchestral Suite No 1 in C Major?

Answer 61

Instrumentation: Oboe I/II, bassoon, violin I/II, viola, basso continuo

Question 62

The first movement of Bach's Orchestral Suite is in the style of a French Overture. What are the key features of this style?

Answer 62

Some general features of the French overture in Bach’s day are: First section – slow with ‘stately’ dotted rhythms in a duple or quadruple metre; fast scalic runs. Second section – lively, often using fugal texture

Question 63

What is the structure of Bach's First Movement (French Overture) from his Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major?

Answer 63

Section A (Bars 1 – 16) Ceremonial, elegant, slow opening, repeated. C major – G major (tonic – dominant). Section B (Bars 16 – 99).Faster section characterised by flowing imitative textures. Modulation to a range of related keys. [The change of speed is indicated with a duple time signature.] Section A2 (Bars 99 – 114). Return of opening tempo and altered material from A.

Question 64

What are the key features of Bach's Movement 2 (Courante) from his Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major?

Answer 64

The Courante here is of the ‘refined’ French type. The tempo is a moderate one in 3/2 time with music that has shifts in emphasis between 3/2 and 6/4.

Question 65

What are the key features of Bach's Movement 3 (Gavotte 1 and 2) from his Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major?

Answer 65

In the key of C major, contrast is achieved through a change of metre, instrumentation and structure. The main characteristic of this dance is heard in phrase lengths which start and end halfway through the bar of four crotchets (quarter notes) with an overall sense of a duple metre. Each Gavotte is presented in a binary structure with the second part longer than the first.

Question 66

What are the key features of Bach's Movement 5 (Minuet 1 and 2) from his Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major?

Answer 66

In triple metre, most minuets are in binary form but in Bach’s suite, the menuet is presented in a ‘da capo’ form with the second menuet being more lightly scored. In this larger ‘da capo’ form, the structure becomes ternary.

Question 67

Where was Vivaldi from?

Answer 67

Italy

Question 68

What was Vivaldi's primary instrument?

Answer 68

violin

Question 69

What were Vivaldi's dates?

Answer 69

1678-1741

Question 70

What is the instrumentation of Vivaldi's Concerto in G minor Op. 3 No. 2 RV 578?

Answer 70

two violins, cello, strings and continuo

Question 71

What is the meaning of tutti?

Answer 71

Everyone performs.

Question 72

What is the meaning of parallel motion?

Answer 72

Parts move together at the same interval, in parallel. This is often in thirds.

Question 73

What is the structure of RITORNELLO FORM?

Answer 73

The Main Ritornello Theme is played by tutti (all) and this is then contrasted with solo material. Similar to a modern day Rondo (ABACAD). Sections of repeated material for the full ensemble (ritornellos) alternate with sections focused on the soloists (known as episodes).

Question 74

What is the meaning of unison?

Answer 74

All parts play the same, this could be octaves apart.

Question 75

What is a SUSPENSION?

Answer 75

A suspension in music is where a note from a chord is held whilst the other notes of the chord change to a new harmony. The held note is discordant and clashes with the new chord and this tension is only resolved when the note moves down a degree to a note belonging to the new chord.

Question 76

What is a PEDAL?

Answer 76

A pedal note refers to a single note repeated or sustained (usually in the bass) while harmony changes above it.

Question 77

What are the PRIMARY CHORDS?

Answer 77

Chords I (tonic), IV (sub-dominant) and V (dominant).

Question 78

Name the primary chords of C MAJOR.

Answer 78

C major (I TONIC), F major (IV SUB-DOMINANT), G major (V DOMINANT)

Question 79

What is the relative minor of C MAJOR?

Answer 79

A Minor

Question 80

What is the dominant of C Major?

Answer 80

G Major

Question 81

Name the primary chords of G MINOR.

Answer 81

G minor (I TONIC), D minor (IV SUB-DOMINANT), Eb major (V DOMINANT)

Question 82

What is the relative major of G MINOR?

Answer 82

Bb major

Question 83

What is the dominant of G MINOR?

Answer 83

Eb major

Question 84

What is a chord inversion?

Answer 84

A chord inversion is a description of the relationship of a chord's lowest notes to the other notes in the chord1

Question 85

Name the order of notes, from lowest to highest, of a C Major chord in root position.

Answer 85

C E G

Question 86

Name the order of notes, from lowest to highest, of a C Major chord in first inversion.

Answer 86

E G C

Question 87

Name the order of notes, from lowest to highest, of a C Major chord in second inversion.

Answer 87

G C E