Which characteristic does not apply to the art and music of the baroque period?
Calm, symmetrical organization of events
Which work is not an expression of the baroque artistic spirit?
Leonardo's Mona Lisa
Which instrument never plays in the basso continuo group?
Flute
Terraced dynamics describes...
Sharp, abrupt dynamic contrasts found in the music of the baroque era
During baroque era, musicians used three distinct techniques to heighten musical contrast:
Clear alternations between major and minor
Abrupt changes in orchestration
Terraced dynamics
What is figured bass
In musical notation, a numerical shorthand that tells the player which unwritten notes to fill in above the written bass note
Which monarch built a monumental palace that was virtually a small, independent city?
Louis XIV of France
When and where did baroque music first appear
1600 in northern Italy
Monody
A prominent genre during the early baroque. It features a vocal soloist singing a highly charged, emotional text with an accompaniment consisting of a few instruments
Basso continuo
Small ensemble of at least two instrumentalists that provides a foundation for the melody above, heard almost exclusively in baroque music
Melodic style of early baroque music
Vocal style marked by quick shifts from long to short notes, expansive and unpredictable rather than short and symmetrical
Harmony during early baroque
Stable, diatonic chords played by basso continuo support melody; clearly defined chord progressions begin to develop; tonality reduced to major and minor keys
Rhythm of early baroque
Regularly repeating, driving rhythms
Texture during early baroque
Predominantly chordal and homophonic; top and bottom lines are the strongest as the basso continuo creates a powerful bass to support the melody above
Best applies to opera
Word literally means work
Origins - 1600 Italy
Dramatic work; actors sing in some/all of works
Usually makes use of elaborate stage sets and costumes
Libretto
Text of an opera
Recitative
Musically heightened speech, often used in an opera, oratorio, or cantata to report dramatic action and advance the plot
Simple recitative
Soloist is accompanied by the basso continuo alone
Aria
Wlaborate lyrical song for solo voice
Characterized by a melisma tic and virtuosic vocal line
Vocal line generally accompanied by orchestra
Intended to convey emotion rather than plot description
Ostinato
A musical figure, motive, melody, harmony, or rhythm that is repeated again and again
Aria bases in a basso ostinato pattern
Voglio morire" by Strozzi
Henry Purcell
One of the best English composers of all time
Dido and aeneus
Employed as organist
Musician at Westminster abbey at young age, later worked for kinda chapel royal
Barbara strozzi
Father encouraged musical talent with lessons/concerts
Dedicated compositions to prominent members of nobility for money
Possessed fine voice and probably sang her compositions in chamber performances
Wrote 6 collections of cantatas
Orfeo
Monteverdi
First major opera in the history of western music
When I am laid in earth" is a ground bass aria for ____
Purcells dido and aeneus
Example of an arioso
Tu se' morta" by Monteverdi
Chamber cantatas
Emphasized accompanied solo singing,
Subject was usually unrequited love or the heroes of ancient history and mythology
Typically lasts 8-15 minutes
Divided into contrasting sections that alternate between recitative and aria
Arioso
Style of singing halfway between the speech like rhythms of the recitative and virtuosic aria
Toccata
Instrumental showpiece, originally for solo keyboard but later for instrumental ensemble as well