Music 101 Exam #2 Brown Questions
and Answers
Opera - Answer-A genre where there are stages and sets. Almost all the words are
sung.
Cantata - Answer-sacred music for choir and orchestra -much shorter than oratorio
Oratorio - Answer-more like an opera; not performed in church service -much longer
than cantata
Concerto - Answer-solo for instrument accompanied by orchestra
Concerto Grosso - Answer-a musical composition for a group of solo instruments
accompanied by an orchestra
Fugue - Answer-short melody is introduced by one instrument and later carried out by
other instuments
Dance Suite - Answer-baroque dances
Early Baroque - Answer-period of innovation
Late Baroque - Answer-Period of refinement
Strophic Form - Answer-AAA (verses)
Idiomatic Writing - Answer-writing for a particular instrument
Doctrine of Affection - Answer-the idea that music is capable of provoking specific
emotions
Basso Continuo - Answer-Harpsichord and cello
Ground Bass - Answer-a short theme, usually in the bass, that is constantly repeated as
the other parts of the music vary.
Figure Bass - Answer-type of short hand that is a way of notating -in bass cleff
Basso Ostinato - Answer-recurring melodic pattern in the bass part of a composition
that serves as the principal structural element.
Ostinato - Answer-short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated
throughout a work
, Terraced Dynamics - Answer-abrupt volume shifts within a piece
Castrato - Answer-men who were castrated before puberty in order to prevent their
voices from dropping in pitch (sounds like soprano)
Libretto - Answer-the text of an opera
Overture - Answer-an orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play, etc. (like
the introduction)
Recitative - Answer-'spoken dialogue' on pitch with music. Where the action takes
place, moving faster/forward; not very rhythmic; accompanied by continuo or orchestra
Secco Recitative - Answer-secco means 'dry' -recitative accompanied only by basso
continuo
Accompanied Recitative - Answer-recitative accompanied by full orchestra
Aria - Answer-not part of theme, a pause in the plot to express feelings, metric, melodic,
accompanied by orchestra
Syllabic - Answer-one note per syllable
Melismatic - Answer-multiple notes per syllable
Sonata - Answer-a moment during a concerto when orchestra arrives at cadential chord
and stops while soloist improvises
a composition for an instrumental soloist, often with a piano accompaniment, typically in
several movements with one or more in sonata form.
Minuet and Trio - Answer-style that accompanies dance, used as a movement in the
early classical symphony
Ritornello Form - Answer-Verses of singing by choir or soloist, followed by short breaks
from singing filled with instrumental parts.
Tutti - Answer-all voices and instruments together
Binary Form - Answer-two related sections, A-A-B-B
Ternary Form - Answer-ABA
Rondo Form - Answer-repeats. A-B-A-C-A-D
and Answers
Opera - Answer-A genre where there are stages and sets. Almost all the words are
sung.
Cantata - Answer-sacred music for choir and orchestra -much shorter than oratorio
Oratorio - Answer-more like an opera; not performed in church service -much longer
than cantata
Concerto - Answer-solo for instrument accompanied by orchestra
Concerto Grosso - Answer-a musical composition for a group of solo instruments
accompanied by an orchestra
Fugue - Answer-short melody is introduced by one instrument and later carried out by
other instuments
Dance Suite - Answer-baroque dances
Early Baroque - Answer-period of innovation
Late Baroque - Answer-Period of refinement
Strophic Form - Answer-AAA (verses)
Idiomatic Writing - Answer-writing for a particular instrument
Doctrine of Affection - Answer-the idea that music is capable of provoking specific
emotions
Basso Continuo - Answer-Harpsichord and cello
Ground Bass - Answer-a short theme, usually in the bass, that is constantly repeated as
the other parts of the music vary.
Figure Bass - Answer-type of short hand that is a way of notating -in bass cleff
Basso Ostinato - Answer-recurring melodic pattern in the bass part of a composition
that serves as the principal structural element.
Ostinato - Answer-short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated
throughout a work
, Terraced Dynamics - Answer-abrupt volume shifts within a piece
Castrato - Answer-men who were castrated before puberty in order to prevent their
voices from dropping in pitch (sounds like soprano)
Libretto - Answer-the text of an opera
Overture - Answer-an orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play, etc. (like
the introduction)
Recitative - Answer-'spoken dialogue' on pitch with music. Where the action takes
place, moving faster/forward; not very rhythmic; accompanied by continuo or orchestra
Secco Recitative - Answer-secco means 'dry' -recitative accompanied only by basso
continuo
Accompanied Recitative - Answer-recitative accompanied by full orchestra
Aria - Answer-not part of theme, a pause in the plot to express feelings, metric, melodic,
accompanied by orchestra
Syllabic - Answer-one note per syllable
Melismatic - Answer-multiple notes per syllable
Sonata - Answer-a moment during a concerto when orchestra arrives at cadential chord
and stops while soloist improvises
a composition for an instrumental soloist, often with a piano accompaniment, typically in
several movements with one or more in sonata form.
Minuet and Trio - Answer-style that accompanies dance, used as a movement in the
early classical symphony
Ritornello Form - Answer-Verses of singing by choir or soloist, followed by short breaks
from singing filled with instrumental parts.
Tutti - Answer-all voices and instruments together
Binary Form - Answer-two related sections, A-A-B-B
Ternary Form - Answer-ABA
Rondo Form - Answer-repeats. A-B-A-C-A-D
