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everything Flashcards

(88 cards)

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1
Q

The period of 20th century music?

A

Year 1900-2000

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2
Q

20th century Characteristics? (3 min)

A

Melody: often fragmented or atonal

Harmony: increased dissonance, polytonality and atonality

Rhythm: irregular meters, polyrhythms, syncopation

Texture: ranged from homophonic to complex polyphony

Instrumentation: expanded use of extended techniques (prepared piano, graphic notation)

Forms: experimental, chance music, minimalism

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3
Q

20th century composers? (3)

A

Arnold Schoenberg,
Maurice Ravel,
Claude Debussy,
Alban Berg,
Anton Webern

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4
Q

Brief history of 20th century? (3-4)

A

Marked by experimentation and innovation

Diversity of styles: No single dominant style

Influenced by technological advancements (recording, synthesizers)

Rise of atonality, dissonance, and new scales

Impact of world wars and political changes

Electronic music and minimalism emerged in the later half

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5
Q

Debussy and Ravel style?

A

Dreamy, colourful harmonies

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6
Q

Schoenberg and Berg style?

A

atonal, intense emotions

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7
Q

Stravinsky and Prokefiev style?

A

revived classical forms

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8
Q

Weburn and Boulenz style?

A

12-tone method

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9
Q

Reich and Glass style?

A

repetitive patterns, simplicity

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10
Q

Stockhausen and Varese style

A

synthesizers, electronic/tape music

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11
Q

Explain the style of Expressionism music. (2)

A

Focuses on expressing deep emotions, especially intense or disturbing feelings like fear, anxiety, or sadness.

It often sounds dramatic, dissonant, and unpredictable.

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12
Q

Expressionism Composers? (3)

A

Arnold Schoenberg
Alban Berg
Anton Webern

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13
Q

Expressionism Characteristics? (3-4)

A

Emotional Intensity – Expresses extreme feelings, often dark or unsettling.

Dissonance – Harsh, clashing sounds that create tension.

Atonality – No clear key or tonal center, making the music sound unpredictable.

Extreme Dynamics – Sudden loud and soft changes.

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14
Q

impressionism period?

A

Between 1890-1920

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15
Q

impressionism origin?

A

France, influenced by Impressionist painters like Monet.

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16
Q

Impressionism Characteristics? (3-4)

A

Use of modal and whole-tone scales (avoiding strong tonal centers).

Emphasis on tone color and atmosphere over strict form.

Unresolved harmonies and ambiguous tonality (blurred harmonic progressions).

Use of parallel chords (planning) rather than functional harmony.

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17
Q

impressionism composers? (2)
Hint: 20th century major composers

A

Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel

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18
Q

impressionism musical form & genres (4)?

A

Short piano pieces, orchestral works, ballet, opera.

Programmatic music (evoking scenes, nature, and moods).

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19
Q

Why was impressionism developed?

A

As a reaction against Romanticism and Germanic music (e.g., Wagner, Brahms).

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20
Q

baroque period

A

around 1600-1750

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21
Q

baroque was recognised with what qualities? (3)

A

fancy, detailed, emotional

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22
Q

baroque was often written for?

A

church (sacred), royalty or public (secular)

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23
Q

per every baroque piece made, has a mood called?

A

affection

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24
Q

baroque characteristics and features? (4)

A

1) contrast
solo/group or loud/soft, makes music more exciting
2) basso continuo
steady bass line usually played by harpsichord and or cello, gives strong and steady foundation
3) clear major and minor keys
4) decorative melodies and ornamentation

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25
baroque instruments? (3-5)
violin, harpsichord, cello, organ, recorder, trumpet (natural, without valves)
26
baroque forms? (5 with explanation)
1) concerto a piece for solo instrument with orchestra accompaniment 2) fugue a piece where the same melody is repeated and layered 3) suite group of dance pieces played together 4) opera drama with acting, singing and music 5) oratorio opposite of opera, only singing and music; often religious
27
3 examples of baroque composers?
Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel, Antonio Vivaldi
28
1 famous pieces of each baroque composers?
JSB Toccata and Fugue in D minor GFH Messiah (especially the "Hallelujah" chorus) AV The Four Seasons
29
musical legacy of JSB (4 with explanation)
1) Master of counterpoint, fugue, and harmony. 2) Combined German, Italian, and French styles into his music. 3) Not widely celebrated during his lifetime outside Germany—his music was rediscovered and revered in the 19th century (thanks partly to Mendelssohn). 4) Today, considered one of the greatest composers in Western music history.
30
characteristics of JSB's music (4 with explanation)
1) polyphonic texture many musical lines played at the same time 2) strong structure carefully organised and balanced 3) basso continuo used in most of his pieces 4) emotional and expressive shows mood clearly even without words
31
musical legacy of GFH (4 with explanation)
1) Pioneered the English oratorio, a blend of sacred themes and dramatic music. 2) Known for his dramatic and expressive style. 3) Became a national treasure in Britain and was buried in Westminster Abbey. 4) His Messiah is still one of the most frequently performed choral works in the world.
32
characteristics of GFH? (4 with explanation)
1) dramatic and powerful written to impress and move audience 2) clear melodies easy to follow and sing 3) strong rhythms often bold and energetic 4) contrast used soft and loud parts to create excitement
33
ornamentation purpose?
extra notes to decorate melody, making it sound fancy and exciting
34
ornaments of baroque? (3)
1) trill quickly switch between 2 notes next to each other 2) turn play a group of notes that go above and below the main note 3) appoggiatura a small note played before main note, leaned into for expression
35
what is mood/affection? (2)
1) each piece or movement shows 1 feeling (happy, sad, angry etc.) 2) helped listeners clearly feel the emotion in the music
36
classical period
1750 to 1820, between Baroque and Romantic
37
classical influence?
enlightenment ideals - clarity, order, balance
38
classical was focused on what types of forms (3 e.g.)
structured forms (e.g. symphony, sonata concerto)
39
how did classical music shift?
ornate Baroque style to simplicity and elegance of classical
40
what grew even popular towards the classical transition?
public concerts, so music isn't restricted to royalty/church
41
classical characteristics (6)
1) homophonic texture 2) balanced and symmetrical phrases (often 4 or 8 bars) 3) clarity in structure (sonatas, rondos, themes and variations) 4) use of contrasting dynamics (crescendo, decrescendo) 5) tuneful, singable melodies 6) harmony became more diatonic (major/minor keys)
42
3 classical composers + works/titles
1) Joseph Haydn "Father of Symphony and String Quartet" 2) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart operas, symphonies, piano concertos 3) Ludwig Van Beethoven transition to Romantic era, dramatic symphonies
43
5 classical key words with explanation
1) symphony large orchestral work in usually 4 movement 2) concerto solo instrument with orchestra 3) string quartet 2 violins, viola, cello 4) homophony melody with chordal accompaniment 5) cadenza soloist's improvised passage in concerto
44
# one family only has one instrument used sparingly, another only has one 5 families with 3 min instruments each (as in, per every family list 3 instruments)
1) strings violin, viola, cello, double bass 2) woodwinds flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon 3) brass horn, trumpet, (trombones added later) 4) percussion timpani (used sparingly) 5) keyboard fortepiano, later developed into modern piano
45
what is chamber music
writen and played for small group of instruments, usually 2 to 9 players with each having their own part meant to be played in small, intimate settings (e.g. rooms, salons, chambers) does not need conductor and musicians perform call-and-response
46
chamber music characteristics (6)
1) small ensemble (e.g. string quartet, piano trio, wind quintet) 2) equal importance per instrument 3) balanced phrases and clear structures 4) intended for intimate performances, not grand public concerts 5) needs close listening and cooperation between players 6) more subtlety and detail than power and volume
47
syncopation def.
the concept of playing rhythms that accent or emphasize the offbeats, where the accents are shifted from the main beat to a weaker beat, to avoid regular rhythm
48
pitch bend def.
the ability to vary a note's pitch continuously, creating a seamless glide between tones, usually up or down by two semitones
49
brief history of tango music
-Originated in the late 19th century -Developed in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay) -Created in working-class areas and port cities
50
Tango is a mix of what cultures (3)
-African rhythms (from former slaves) -European music (Spanish, Italian, German immigrants) -Latin American folk music
51
social background of tango (3)
-Played in dance halls, cafés, and streets -Associated with everyday life, love, loss, and longing -Originally seen as lower-class music, later accepted by society
52
how did tango come to be so popular? (3)
-Became popular in Europe (especially Paris) in the early 20th century -Gained acceptance among the upper classes -Later returned to Argentina as a respected art form
53
how is tango viewed today? (3)
-Performed as music and dance -Found in concert halls, films, and competitions -Symbol of Argentine culture and identity
54
characteristics of tango (5, 3 min)
-Strong, syncopated rhythm with a steady walking pulse -Expressive and dramatic mood, often emotional or melancholic -Use of bandoneón as a key instrument -Music written mainly in duple or quadruple time (2/4 or 4/4) -Clear melodic lines with sharp accents and pauses
55
define semitone
the smallest interval used in classical Western music, equal to a twelfth of an octave or half a tone. e.g. C-->D has a distance of one semitone C-->F has a distance of 4 semitones (half steps), or 2 tones (whole steps)
56
define tone
a basic interval in classical Western music, equal to two semitones. for example, the first and second notes of an ordinary scale (such as C and D, or E and F sharp); a major second.
57
define cross rhythm
When two different rhythms are played together at the same time. Usually contrasting in some way.
58
define polyrhythm
When two or more rhythms are played at the same time. Parts usually contrast in metre and accent producing a rich, complex texture. Often found in African and Afro-Cuban music.
59
define stepwise / scalic
Movement of a melody upwards or downwards using the notes of the scale in order.
60
define diatonic
Harmony using notes from the scale (sounding ‘normal’ to us).
61
define dissonance
Harmony using notes outside the key, creating clashes. Often employed to create suspense or tension.
62
define chromatic
Harmony using notes in addition to those from the scale (e.g. using black notes in the key of C major).
63
define atonal
music with no sense of key.
64
define harmonic progression
sequences of chords in a piece
65
define harmonic rhythm
speed of changes in the chords
66
define modulation
Moving from one key to another.
67
define Sforzando (sfz)
suddenly loud.
68
perfect / authentic cadence
V -> I (dominant to tonic) sounds complete
69
imperfect cadence
ends at V (dominant) sounds incomplete
70
plagal cadence
IV -> I (sub-dominant to tonic) sounds complete
71
interrupted / deceptive cadence
V -> VI (dominant to minor) sounds incomplete
72
romantic music characteristics (4, melody, harmony, dynamics, tempo)
Melody: Longer, more lyrical, and song-like. High use of chromaticism (notes outside the key). Harmony: More adventurous! Expect frequent modulations and dissonance to create tension. Dynamics: Extreme ranges, from pp to ff. Use of Crescendo and Diminuendo is much more dramatic. Tempo: Frequent use of Rubato (robbed time)—speeding up and slowing down for expressive effect.
73
key genres and forms of romantic music (4)
1. Programme Music: Music that tells a specific story or describes a scene (e.g., Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique). 2. Lied (Art Song): A solo voice with piano accompaniment, usually setting German poetry to music (think Schubert). 3. Virtuoso Pieces: Extremely difficult music designed to show off technical skill (Liszt on piano, Paganini on violin). 4. Nationalism: Using folk tunes and rhythms to represent a composer’s homeland (e.g., Grieg, Dvořák).
74
essential composers to know (4, 2 from each)
Piano Music: Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt. Symphonic/Orchestral: Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Gustav Mahler. Opera: Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner (famous for Leitmotifs). Early Romantic/Lieder: Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann.
75
brief overview/history of romantic era (3 points after short paragraph)
The Romantic era was a reaction against the order and restraint of the Classical period. It’s all about emotion, nature, and storytelling. Main Goal: Expressing the "unexpressible" (love, fear, nationalism). Key Themes: Dreams, the supernatural, exotic lands, and personal suffering. The Composer's Status: No longer just a servant to royalty; now a "tortured artist" or a celebrity virtuoso.
76
define melody
the sequence of notes that create a musical phrase, often the most memorable part of a song.
77
define harmony
the sound of two or more notes heard simultaneously that is pleasant to the listener
78
define texture
how the layers of sound are organised
79
define structure/form
the arrangement and order of the parts or sections of the music
80
define binary form (how many sections, elaborate)
Two sections: A B A usually ends in a related key (e.g. dominant or relative minor), but B returns to the tonic. B will contain with some change/contrast
81
define ternary form (how many sections, elaborate)
Three sections: A B A section B provides a contrast (e.g. new tune key change) A may return exactly or with some slight changes
82
define rondo
A B A C A A longer form: A returns throughout the piece, with contrasting sections called ‘episodes’, containing new ideas and using different keys
83
define strophic
A A A repeats the same melody over and over
84
define variations
The main theme (tune) is repeated and developed a number of times in a variety of different ways
85
define imitation
an idea copied to another part
86
define sequence
repetition of an idea in the same part at a higher or lower pitch
87
define clave
wooden stick/instrument, whereby the common salsa pattern of 3-2 or 2-3 is played on
88
define son for salsa
The basic rhythm which gave rise to Salsa
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