Mazurka
A folk dance from MASOVIA, Poland.
“Off” beats of 2 & 3 in triple meter.
Main style of Chopin.
Singspiel
Spoken dialogue.
One of the main features of 19th c. German opera.
Melodrama
Spoken dialogue with background music.
One of the features of 19th c. German opera.
Risorgimento (1840)
“Italian patriotism.”
Fueled by the French Revolution/Napoleonic Wars and the threat of Austrian political dominance.
Rossini Art/Duet forms
Aria: orchestral intro., Scena recit., Cantabile, Tempi di mezzo, Cabaletta
Duet: Scena, Tempo d’attaca, Cantabile, Tempo di mezzo, Cabaletta
Bel Canto
Operatic style that favors the lyrical qualities of the voice over the music and dramatic elements of the opera.
Popularized by Rossini.
Grand Opera (1850)
Large-scale productions on historical, political, and religious themes.
Tristan & Isolde
Wagner’s attempt to create authentic “German” art.
An opera featuring some of Wagner’s finest elements of Leitmotivs.
Die Mesitersinger von Nurnberg
Wagner’s attempt at creating authentic “German” art.
Based on German legends.
Gesamtkunstwerk
Part of Wagner’s approach in that there should be a unification of the arts.
“Collective art-work”…”the true aim of art is accordingly all-embracing.”
Leitmotiv
Short melodic fragments associated with a person, thing, emotion, or idea.
Endless melody
Melodies comprised of leitmotives, short melodic fragments associated with a person, thing, emotion, or idea. Wagner popularized this.
Symphonic poem
Ideal format for program music in late 19th c.
Single-movement symphonic work based on an “extra-musical” subject.
Often loosely-based on traditional forms. Often portray internal aspects of a multi-movement symphony. Franz Liszt was instrumental in popularizing this genre and Strauss typified the style in the late 19th c.
Mighty Handful
5 non-academic composers who claimed that conservatory training was a threat to Russian compositional “authenticity.” They were:
1. Balakirev
2. Borodin
3. Cui
4. Musorgsky
5. Rimsky-Korsakov.
Minstrelsy
Popular 19th c. American theatrical entertainments that functioned as “variety” shows. Originally featured white performers made-up in blackface. It is plagued with racism, economic exploitation, and cultural propaganda.
Ragtime
Fusion of African-American traditions with European-based traditions (improvised style and syncopated rhythms with harmonic language and forms). It was made famous by Scott Joplin.
Cafe/Cabaret
Bar/night club environment where artists and intellectuals mingle with/engage the public.