Western Classical Music Flashcards

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.

Modal Scale

• 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.

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.