classical terms

Question 1

classicism

Answer 1

• refers to the cultures of Ancient Rome and Greece as well as the art, architecture and music of the late 18th century
• adheres to principles of symmetry, balance and proportion
• emphasis on excellence, enduring value and timeless quality

Question 2

viennese school

Answer 2

-refers to the musical style forged by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven and their contemporaries
- in late 18th century Vienna, Austria flourished as a musical center

Question 3

absolute music

Answer 3

• instrumental music without extramusical associations
• also known as pure music
• generic titles reflecting tempos, genres, or forms, for example, sonata

Question 4

sonata form

Answer 4

• formal structure often used in the first movement of a sonata cycle
• consists of exposition (statement of two or more contrasting themes ) development (departure) and recapitulation (return)

Question 5

exposition

Answer 5

the first main section in sonata form
- two contrasting themes are stated
- the first theme is in the tonic key
- the second theme or themes are in a contrasting key, generally in the dominant or relative major

Question 6

development

Answer 6

• the second main section in sonata form
• themes from the exposition are manipulated through fragmentation, sequential treatment, or changes to orchestration
• modulations and increased harmonic tension
• new themes may also be introduced

Question 7

recapitulation

Answer 7

the third main section in sonata form
- a concluding section reaffirming the tonic key

Question 8

coda

Answer 8

• latin for tail
• a conducing section reaffirming the tonic key

Question 9

sonata cycle

Answer 9

• multi movement structure that emerged in the classical era
• demonstrated in the symphony, sonata or concerto

Question 10

Chamber music

Answer 10

• music for small ensemble (two to ten players)
• one player per part
• usually performed without a conductor

Question 11

String quartet

Answer 11

• the most important chamber music genre of the classical era
• performing forces: first violin, second violin, viola, and cello
• usually in four movements: fast, slow, moderately fast, fast
• first movement is usually in sonata form

Question 12

Theme and variations

Answer 12

• a work featuring a statement of a melody (theme) followed by a series of transformations (variations)
• changes can be made to melody , harmony, rhythm, or orchestration
• often used in the slow movement of a sonata cycle

Question 13

Serenade

Answer 13

• a multi movement orchestral genre
• for small orchestra or chamber ensemble
• popular instrumental genre in the classical era
• often performed in aristochratic social settings and at outdoor events

Question 14

Rocket theme

Answer 14

• rapidly ascending melody outlining an arpeggio
• often used as a dramatic opening motive in classical era works

Question 15

Menuet and trio

Answer 15

• menuet: a stylized dance of French origin developed in the baroque era
• in triple meter
• graceful, elegant character
• trio: contrasting middle section
• ternary form (aba)

Question 16

Rounded binary form

Answer 16

• two part form: a II B+A II, pg 50
• opening material from section a returns after b material

Question 17

Rondo form

Answer 17

• classical formal structure often used in sonata cycle
• section a recurs, with alternating sections creating contrast
• section a is heard three times or more in the tonic key
• abaca or abacaba

Question 18

Sonata rondo form

Answer 18

• combines elements of sonata form and rondo form
• typical layout: abacaba (aba functions as the exposition, c functions as the development; second aba functions as the recapitulation)
• also known as rondo sonata form

Question 19

Symphony

Answer 19

• a multi movement orchestral work originating in the 18 th century
• usually in four movements fast slow moderate fast
• at leas one movement is in sonata form

Question 20

Cyclical structure

Answer 20

• material heard in one movement recurs in later movements
• creates structural unity in a multi movement work

Question 21

Motive

Answer 21

A short melodic or rhythmic fragment used to build a melody

Question 22

Scherzo and trio

Answer 22

• Italian for jest or joke
• Beethoven substituted the scherzo in place of the menuet as the third movement in the sonata cycle
• also in triple meter, but generally more dramatic than the elegant menuet
• could be humorous or ironic
• as with the menuet and trio, it contains a contrasting middle section (trio) resulting in ABA form (scherzo-trio-scherzo)