Show:
Renaissance
Baroque
Classical
Romantic
Composers and Works
100
The type of musical texture that best characterizes Renaissance literature.
What is polyphony?
100
A piano-like instrument which plucks the strings instead of hitting them.
What is harpsichord?
100
This characteristic of the classical period is evident not only in musical structure and form, but also in the architecture of the period.
What is symmetry?
100
These were often incorporated into to compositions of the Romantic period to create a sense of national identity in the music.
What are folk tunes?
100
The Four Seasons
Who is Vivaldi?
200
A stringed instrument from the Renaissance period that somewhat resembles orchestral stringed instruments of today.
What is viola da gamba?
200
An oratorio is sometimes "this," but an opera never is.
What is sacred?
200
Orchestras grew larger, and this compositional form developed significantly during the classical period.
What is the symphony?
200
This historical phenomenon (?) resulted in the incorporation of music from exotic cultures (or at least the composer's perception of it) in traditional Western compositions.
What is colonialism?
200
The Ring Cycle
Who is Wagner?
300
A melody to which other contrapuntal (polyphonic) parts are added.
What is cantus firmus?
300
A group of solo instruments featured with an orchestra.
What is concerto grosso?
300
The previous era was once called "an immature state of ignorance and error" due to what some considered superstition and the blind following of religion. The classical period, in its efforts to create societal reform through science and intellectual exchange, has become known as "this."
What is "The Age of Reason"?
300
This musical development (brought on very much by Beethoven) allowed composers to push the limits of dynamic range, tone color, and musical versatility in their instrumental compositions.
What are larger orchestras?
300
Songs Without Words
Who is Mendelssohn?
400
The style of singing appropriate to Renaissance literature that lacks a noticeable vibrato.
What is straight tone?
400
A set of six well-known orchestral works by J.S. Bach, three of which are concerto grosso.
What are the Brandenburg Concertos?
400
The industrial revolution created ideal conditions for producing strong steel frames and high quality wire, resulting in a louder, more versatile, and sturdy version of this instrument - version most similar to the incarnation we know today.
What is the pianoforte?
400
An emphasis on nature, as well as the Nationalism of the Romantic period, were often subjects for this "referential" type of music.
What is program music?
400
Female composer from the Renaissace period.
Who is Hildegaard Von Bingen?
500
This was a common woodwind instrument in the Renaissance period that is held vertically, as opposed to the transverse flute which is held horizontally.
What is the recorder?
500
An instrument or group of instruments that provide the harmonic structure for much baroque music. May be a single keyboard instrument, or could include other bass wind or string instruments as well.
What is basso continuo?
500
This composer is known for beginning the transition from Classical into the Romantic, particularly with his additions to orchestral instrumentation.
Who is Beethoven?
500
This composer was known for his enormous hands, and consequently, the extremely thick texture and difficulty of much of his piano music.
Who is Rachmaninoff?
500
Transitional between Classical and Romantic, composer of German vocal music
Who is Franz Schubert?