Western Classical Music Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What characterizes Medieval music?

Monodic line with vocals only (correct)

Polyphonic structure

Use of instruments

Major/minor scales

What does a Modal Scale start on?

A note other than C

Define Organom.

Addition of more than one voice within the same tone

What is the meaning of 'Renaissance' in music?

Rebirth Signup and view all the answers

Describe Counter Point in music.

Relationship between two independently moving notes Signup and view all the answers

What does Late Renaissance music typically feature?

Melismatic singing and lightness Signup and view all the answers

What era did Baroque music cover?

1600-1760 Signup and view all the answers

What are the three parts of a Sonata?

Theme statement, development, recapitulation Signup and view all the answers

What is a Fugue?

A complex canon interweaving counterpoint throughout the piece Signup and view all the answers

What elements define Classical music?

Playfulness, dynamic expression, and large orchestra Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of Romantic music?

More feeling than structure Signup and view all the answers

What describes the characteristics of 20th Century music?

Return of modal scales and atonal music Signup and view all the answers

What is the Overtone Series?

Vibrations creating additional pitches Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medieval

Characterized by monodic line and vocals, devoid of instrumental accompaniment.
Emphasizes church music and utilizes modal scales.
Introduces the concept of organum, adding more than one voice to a single melodic line.

Distinguished by starting on notes other than C, setting the foundation for diverse musical compositions.

Organum

A technique that involves layering multiple vocal lines, enriching the texture of the music.

Renaissance

Signifies a "rebirth" in music, highlighting polyphonic textures and the use of counterpoint.
Marks the emergence of leading tones and harmony (major/minor scales).
Transition from predominantly ecclesiastical music to secular compositions with an emphasis on notated music.

Counterpoint

Refers to the interplay between two or more independent musical lines, crucial for developing complex textures.

Late Renaissance

Notable for melismatic singing, where a single syllable is extended over several notes, creating a sense of lightness in music.

Baroque

spans 1600 to 1760, characterized by structured harmony and a focus on leading tones within tonal contexts.
Recognition of orchestral instrumentation, reducing reliance on vocal components.
Introduction of musical forms like concertos, sonatas, and fugues.
Key composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, known for his intricate and complex works.

Sonata

Form consists of three sections: exposition (theme introduction), development (thematic exploration), and recapitulation (returns to the main theme).
Key to its structure is the establishment of tonality and playful thematic variations.

Fugue

A structured form featuring a complex interweaving of melodic lines, exemplifying counterpoint throughout the composition.

Classical

Defined by a sense of playfulness, expressive dynamics, and structured formats such as sonatas.
Features larger orchestras and elements of surprise within compositions.
Prominent composers include Mozart and Beethoven, who contributed significantly to the era's development.

Romantic

Focuses on expressing deep emotion rather than strict structures.
Instrumentation predominantly involves strings and piano, with significant use of dramatic pauses.
Noteworthy composer: Johannes Brahms, known for his emotive and lyrical compositions.

20th Century

Witnesses a resurgence of modal scales alongside experimental instrumentation and innovative techniques such as atonality and dissonance.
Characteristics include minimalism, complex rhythms, and unconventional compositions expressing an intellectual approach to music.
Key composers include Arnold Schoenberg, John Cage, and Philip Glass, who contributed to the diverse musical landscape of the century.

Overtone Series

Explains the phenomenon of harmonic overtones created when a tone vibrates at specific frequencies, resulting in additional pitches as vibrations interact.

Description

This quiz features flashcards covering essential terms in Western classical music. It explores important concepts from the Medieval and Renaissance periods, including monody, modal scales, and polyphony. Test your knowledge of these foundational elements in music history.