IGCSE Music: Classical Music

Terms in this set (39)

Haydn
Austrian composer. Known as the Father of the Symphony.
Mozart
Austrian piano/vocal composer. One of the most famous composers of all time.
Beethoven
German piano/orchestral composer.
Alberti bass
A common Classical-period accompaniment formed by arpeggiating triads in repeated patterns, such as root-fifth-third-fifth.
Sonata form
A form used in the classical period, often as the first movement for a symphony or other large orchestras. Three parts: exposition, development, and recapitulation.
Symphony
An elaborate musical composition for full orchestra
Concerto
A musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra, esp. one conceived on a relatively large scale.
Piano trio
An instrumental group usually consisting of violin, cello, and piano.
String quartet
A standard instrumental ensemble for chamber music consisting of a single first and second violin, a viola, and a cello.
Overture
Introduction to an opera or other large musical work. Single movement and based on a story.
Canon
A polyphonic piece in which all parts are identical, but enter at different times.
Theme and variation
A musical form in which a theme continually returns but is varied by changing the notes of the melody, the harmony, the rhythm, or some other feature of the music.
opera
a dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists.
oratorio
a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
aria
operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
requiem
a Roman Catholic mass for the dead with solo voices, chorus and orchestra
overture
a piece of music intended to introduce a longer work
minuet
A stately dance in 3/4 time often part of a Minuet and Trio
chamber music
ensemble music for small groups, with one player per part
sequence
the repetition of a melodic figure or phrase, repeated at a higher or lower pitch
motif
a short melodic phrase
concord
a harmonious chord
arpeggio
the notes of a chord played one after the other instead of sat the same time
homophonic
sounding together at the same time
a feature of Classical Music
simple, 'singable' melodies
a feature of Classical Music
4 - 8 bar phrases
a feature of Classical Music
a clear homophonic texture
a feature of Classical Music
dynamics using crescendos and diminuendos
a feature of Classical Music
timpani are often the only percussion instrument used
a feature of Classical Music
a growing use of wind instruments especially horns
Early Classical orchestra
Strings, 2 horns, 1 or 2 flutes or 2 oboes
Later Classical orchestra
Strings, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, trumpets, timpani
Piano
Invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori 1698. Strings struck by small hammers
Symphonic form
4 movements: 1st fast sonata form. 2nd slow, song like ternary form. 3rd Minuet and trio. 4th fast, light hearted, rondo form
Ternary from
ABA
Rondo form
ABACA
Minuet and trio
The third movement of a classical symphony in triple time and ABA form
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Child prodigy who performed on the piano in front of the Emperor of Austria in Vienna. Watch the film Amadeus!
Franz Joseph Haydn
Classical composer. Wrote 104 symphonies. Known as the 'Father of the Symphony'
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