| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Cantata | Vocal genre for solo singers, chorus and instrumentalists based on a lyric or dramatic poetic narrative. |
| Chamber Music | Ensemble music for up to about ten players, with one player to a part. |
| Concerto Grosso | Baroque concerto type based on the opposition between a small group of solo instruments (the concertino) and orchestra (the ripieno). |
| Opera | Music drama that is generally sung throughout, combining the resources of vocal and instrumental music with poetry and drama, acting and pantomime, scenery and costumes. |
| Oratorio | Large-scale dramatic genre originating in the Baroque, based on a text of religious or serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes or action. |
| Ornamentation | Melodic decoration, either improvised or indicated through embellishments in the music. |
| Sonata | Instrumental genre in several movements for soloist or small ensemble. |
| Suite | Multimovement work made up of a series of contrasting dance movements, generally all in the same key. |
| Harpsichord | Early Baroque keyboard instrument in which the strings are plucked by quills instead of being struck with hammers like the piano. |
| Chorale | Baroque congregational hymn of the German Lutheran church. |
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