Musical Terms

Era Specific
Composers
Name that tune
Opera
100

this is a term for when lyrics are set to one note per syllable

What is Syllabic

100

Artists in every field looked to nature and balance as a model during this era.

What is the Classical Era?

100

He was a child prodigy that never seemed to mature.

Who is Mozart?

100

This German lieder by Schubert, features many characters being sung by one person.

What is Erlkonig?

100

These are the more lyrical numbers in opera. Also the night kings assassin from GoT!

What are arias?

200

unaccompanied choral music, or any unaccompanied singing

What is "a capella"?

200

Duke Ellington was a band leader during this 20th century jazz era. 

What is the Big Band Era?

200

After working for the royal Esterhazy family, he finished his career in London, where he wrote 12 famous symphonies, including the "surprise symphony".

Who is Haydn?

200

This Beethoven symphony can be characterized by its opening motive "short-short-short-LONG"

What is symphony no. 5?

200

Darth Vader's theme song is an example of this technique Wagner made famous in his operas.

What is Leitmotif?

300

The exposition, development, recapitulation, and coda, make up this form.

What is the Sonata Form. 

300

dreams and feelings were as important as intellect during this era.

What is the Romantic Era?

300

This composer was "resurrected" after Felix Mendelssohn re-discovered and led a performance of his "St. Matthew Passion".

Who is Bach?

300

The first performance of this piece caused a riot!

What is Rite of Spring?

300

This is the type of opera singing that lies somewhere between singing and speaking. Like sung dialogue. 

What is recitative?

400

Debussy used this type of scale in his piece "Voiles" that gives no harmonic center.

What is the whole tone scale?

400

Vienna was the musical center of Europe, music was balance, and concerts became more public during this era.

What is the Classical Era?

400

9 symphonies were penned by this composer.

Who is Beethoven? 

400

This piece by Debussy makes use of the whole tone scale to give an unending direction. 

What is "Voiles"?

400

This composer is known for his boisterous and long operas, like his ring cycle.

Who is Wagner?

500

a melodic phrase structure with an antecedent and consequent. Much like a question and answer.

What is the periodic phrase structure?

500

When Bach died in 1750, it was the end of this era.

What is the Baroque era.

500

This early 20th century French composer was known for his impressionistic style of music that suggested feeling gently.

Who is Debussy?

500

A great deal of text from this "opera" by Phillip Glass is recited, with limited singing.

What is Einstein on the Beach?

500

Major characters in Wagner's The Valkyrie are based on this mythology. Think Thor.

What is Norse Mythology?

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