affections
only one mood or emotion would be reflected in a piece
movement
piece that sounds fairly complete and independent but is part of a larger composition
ritornello
a repeated section of music usually played by the full orchestra, or tutti
subject
theme of a fugue
episode
transitional section in a fugue between presentations of the subject; offers new material or fragments of the subject or countersubject
inversion
play the piece upside down
diminution
make the length of the notes shorter
aria
a song for a solo vocalist with orchestral accompaniment
chorus
a group of singers performing together generally with more than one to a part
ground bass; basso ostinato
variation form in which a musical idea in the bass is repeated over and over while the melodies above it continually change
cantata
composition in several movements usually written for a chorus, one or more vocal soloists, and instrumental ensemble
terraced dynamics
abrupt alternation between loud and soft dynamic levels
concerto grasso
composition for several instrumental soloists and small orchestra
answer
second presentation of the subject in a fugue
stretto
compostional procedure used in fugues, in which the subject is imitated before it is completed; one voice tries to catch another
retrograde
beginning with the last note of the piece and proceeding backwards towards the first
opera
a drama that is sung to choral accompaniment, usually a large scale composition employing vocal soloist, chorus, orchestra, costumes, and scenery
recitative
a vocal line that imitates the rhythms and pitch fluctuations of speech
overture
Orchestral piece at beginning of the opera that plays on the theme of the opera
suite
a set of dance inspired movements all written in the same key but differing in tempo, meter, and character
oratorio
large scale composition for a chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra, usually set to a narrative text, but without acting, scenery, or costumes, often based on biblical stories
figured bass; basso continuo
baroque accompaniment made up of a bass part usually played by two instruments: keyboard + a low melodic instrument
tutti
the full orchestra; all
fugue
polyphonic composition based on one main theme, or subkect
countersubject
a melodic idea that accompanies the subject fairly constantly
pedal point; organ point
single tone, usually in the bass, which is held while the other voices produce a series of changing harmonies against it
augmentation
make the length of the notes longer
libretto
text of an opera
ensemble
in opera, a piece performed by three or more solo singers
castrato
male singer castrated before puberty to retain a high voice range
chorale
hymn tune sung to a German religious text