Opera
An art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text (called a libretto) and musical score.
Cantata
A vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment and often containing more than one movement.
Oratorio
A large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Strictly a concert piece.
Dance suite
An ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment.
Trio sonata
Written for two solo melodic instruments and basso continuo, making three parts in all
Concerto grosso
A form in which the musical material is passed between a small group of soloists.
Fugue
A contrapuntal composition in two or more voices, built on a subject (theme) that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition.
Chorale prelude
A short liturgical composition for organ using a chorale tune as its basis.