Medieval
What are troubadours? What did they sing about?
a French medieval lyric poet composing and singing, especially on the theme of courtly love
What was the music of the time called and who was it named after?
Gregorian Chant; Pope Gregory I
What is word painting?
a musical technique that matches the lyrics of a song with the music
What is opera buffa and opera seria?
Seria: an opera on a serious, classical, or mythological theme
Buffa: a comic opera with characters drawn from every day life
What does a cappella mean?
Sung without instruments
What was the name of the notation during Medieval era?
Neumes
This genre of music was the origin to opera. It was performed by amateur musicians and were performed in homes or parties.
Madrigals
Who were the two primary composers of this time? What type of music did they write?
Bach: keyboard (piano) music
Handel: vocal music
What songs were sung in the vernacular? What songs were sung in Latin?
Vernacular: secular
Latin: sacred
What were secular songs about? What language was it sung in?
Courtly love is prominent subject; the vernacular
What invention defined this era and brought about widespread circulation of music?
The Gutenburg Printing Press
What are the two types of operatic songs? These are contrasting songs within operas
Aria: where characters express their emotion. Virtuosic
Recitative: dialogue that moves the action along. Sung almost like speech
Describe the purpose of the Mass Ordinary and Mass Proper
The Mass Ordinary refers to the unchangeable texts and prayers that appear in every Mass service.
The Mass Proper are the variable parts of the liturgy that change with the specific feast, saint, or liturgical season being celebrated
What is the difference between syllabic and melismatic chant?
Syllabic: one note per syllable; Melismatic: many notes per syllable.
What is the dominant musical texture of this era? (Monophony, Homophony, or Polyphony?)
Polyphony
What is an oratorio?
a large-scale work for chorus and orchestra with Biblical themes
What is organum?
Early vocal polyphonic music
Explain the difference between polypony, monophony, and homophony
Monophony is a single melodic line without any accompaniment, like one person singing a tune alone. Polyphony features two or more independent melodic lines happening simultaneously, while homophony has one main melody supported by chords or harmonies, like a singer with guitar accompaniment.
Name one of the two sacred styles of music during this era
The motet and the mass
What are characteristics of the baroque orchestra?
They are smaller by today's standards; they feature only string instruments