Music 1500: Main Terms to Focus On in Each Segment of the Class . . .

Note: This list is provided for basic study purposes only in preparation for understanding the lecture material--it is NOT the only material that you need to know for exams (you still need to do the assigned reading, listening and online assignments)--the topics are listed in the order they are presented during the semester, and will be updated at the end of each week.

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I. Musical Elements: (know definitions of these elements and subterms)
-Rhythm (also know that "tempo"= speed of the beat)
-Dynamics,
-Melody,
-Harmony,
-Texture,
-Tone Color
-Form
(see Webbook: "The Elements of Music"

II. The 6 historical style eras in chronological order:
-Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Modern
(see the brief overview at the end of the Webbook Lesson: "The Elements of Music")

III. World Music:
see Webbook: "World Music"
- African traits: Call and response, polyrhythm, improvisation
- Indonesia (Gamelan=percussion ensemble)
- Mexico (Mariachi=traditional ensemble with guitars, violins, trumpets, etc.)
- Middle East ('Ud=lute-like instrument)
- Japan (Koto=13-stringed instrument)

IV. Early Music:
see Webbook: "Early Music"

Know the basic prayer names of the "Mass Ordinary"
- Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei

Medieval (Middle Ages): c450-1450
- chant (example= haec dies [chant])
- organum (example= Perotin: Haec dies [organum]) c 1100
- late Medieval (very complex rhythm and harmony; example= Machaut: "Agnus Dei" from Missa Notre Dame)

Renaissance (c1450-1600)
- motet (example= Josquin Desprez: Ave Maria virgo serena)
- madrigal (example= Weelkes: As Vesta Was From Latmos Hill Descending)

early Baroque (c1600-1700)
- opera (example= Purcell: "Dido's Lament" from Dido and Aeneas)
- know the difference between "recitative" and "aria"

V. Late Baroque: c1700-1750
see Webbook: "The Late Baroque Era"

A. Late Baroque Instrumental examples and terms:

Know what "basso continuo" accompaniment is

Know what a "trio sonata is"
- (4 players: 2 violins + basso continuo; Example= Corelli: Trio Sonata in D)

Vivaldi: Spring Movement 1 from The Four Seasons:
- This is an example of a Concerto (solo vs. orchestra= a "solo concerto")
- This is also an example of Ritornello Form (tutti, solo, tutti, solo, tutti, solo, etc)

J.S. Bach: Movement 1 from Brandenburg Concerto No. 5:
- This is an example of a Concerto Grosso (a small GROUP of soloists vs. orchestra)
- This is also an example of Ritornello Form (tutti, solo, tutti, solo, tutti, solo, etc)

J.S. Bach: Movement 1 from Brandenburg Concerto No. 5:
- This is an example of a Concerto Grosso (a small GROUP of soloists vs. orchestra)
- This is also an example of Ritornello Form (tutti, solo, tutti, solo, tutti, solo, etc)

J.S. Bach: "Little Fugue" in G minor
- This is an example of a fugue (a complex contrapuntal manipulation of a musical; "subject" [the main musical idea of a fugue])

B. Late Baroque Vocal examples and terms:

J.S. Bach: Cantata No. 80:
- This is an example of a Cantata (a small multi-movement vocal work with orchestral accompaniment usually based on a German sacred text)

Handel: Messiah:
- This is an example of a Oratorio (a large multi-movement vocal work based on a Biblical text, with solo singers, chorus, orchestra—but no staging or costumes)

VI. Chamber Music: c1700-1750
see Webbook: "Chamber Music"

Know the instruments in the following ensembles:

-Woodwind Quintet- (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn)
-Brass Quintet- (2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba)
-String Quartet- (2 violins, viola, cello)

VII. Music of the Classic Era: c1750-1820
see Webbook: "The Classic Era"

(Start this discussion on Wed Feb 8)
- For now, focus on 3 major Classic composers: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
- Genres [compositional categories]: symphony, string quartet, sonata, concerto
- Know the 4-movement design of Classic instrumental music