Music
Revision
1
,Western Art Music
(1600-1910)
2
, Baroque (1600-1750)
Features
>Long melodies based on triads, scales and arpeggios
>Ornamentation -especially at cadences
>Sequences – when a musical idea is repeated up or down one note
>Diatonic harmonies
>Simple modulations
>Driving rhythms push music forward
>Terraced dynamics- no graduating crescendos or diminuendos
>Contrast in timbres- e.g. soloist and orchestra
>Contrast in textures- Homophonic (all parts moving together), polyphonic (all parts moving at
different times), Monophonic (one line)
>predominantly polyphonic
>One mood throughout
Instruments
>Organ and harpsichord where main keyboard instruments due to connection to church music in
this period play basso continuo
>Orchestra born at this time- small in size compared to modern day
>Strings predominant- most developed and largest section of orchestra
>New techniques- pizzicato (plucking notes on string instrument) and tremolo (rapid repetition of
a note to create a trembling effect)
>Woodwind developed- recorder, bassoon, oboe
>occasional use of timpani
>occasional use of trumpet (natural trumpets- no valves)
Styles
>Sacred vocal – oratorio- large scale setting of a religious text for soloists, chorus and orchestra
>Secular vocal
-Opera-Developed in Italy and could be serious or light hearted
-Aria- solo song with instrumental accompaniment. Key part of operas for character development
-Recitative- sung quickly and almost spoken- used to drive on story in opera.
>Instrumental -Overture- orchestral piece used to quiet audience before a larger work
-Solo concerto- soloist and ripieno (orchestra)
Forms and Structures
>Ritornello form- recurring passage for orchestra which alternates with episodes for soloist(s)
>Cadenza- introduced to concertos as a chance for soloists to improvise and show off towards the
end of a movement
Other definitions
>Monosyllabic- one syllable per note
>Melismatic- more than one note per syllable.
3
Revision
1
,Western Art Music
(1600-1910)
2
, Baroque (1600-1750)
Features
>Long melodies based on triads, scales and arpeggios
>Ornamentation -especially at cadences
>Sequences – when a musical idea is repeated up or down one note
>Diatonic harmonies
>Simple modulations
>Driving rhythms push music forward
>Terraced dynamics- no graduating crescendos or diminuendos
>Contrast in timbres- e.g. soloist and orchestra
>Contrast in textures- Homophonic (all parts moving together), polyphonic (all parts moving at
different times), Monophonic (one line)
>predominantly polyphonic
>One mood throughout
Instruments
>Organ and harpsichord where main keyboard instruments due to connection to church music in
this period play basso continuo
>Orchestra born at this time- small in size compared to modern day
>Strings predominant- most developed and largest section of orchestra
>New techniques- pizzicato (plucking notes on string instrument) and tremolo (rapid repetition of
a note to create a trembling effect)
>Woodwind developed- recorder, bassoon, oboe
>occasional use of timpani
>occasional use of trumpet (natural trumpets- no valves)
Styles
>Sacred vocal – oratorio- large scale setting of a religious text for soloists, chorus and orchestra
>Secular vocal
-Opera-Developed in Italy and could be serious or light hearted
-Aria- solo song with instrumental accompaniment. Key part of operas for character development
-Recitative- sung quickly and almost spoken- used to drive on story in opera.
>Instrumental -Overture- orchestral piece used to quiet audience before a larger work
-Solo concerto- soloist and ripieno (orchestra)
Forms and Structures
>Ritornello form- recurring passage for orchestra which alternates with episodes for soloist(s)
>Cadenza- introduced to concertos as a chance for soloists to improvise and show off towards the
end of a movement
Other definitions
>Monosyllabic- one syllable per note
>Melismatic- more than one note per syllable.
3
