MUSIC APPRECIATION 101

Study Guide for Exam II

Baroque/Classical

Baroque Period (1600-1750)

Be familiar with the seven characteristics of Baroque music

Concepts:

            What are the two main keyboard instruments of the period?

            What was the role of the musician in society? Where did they work?

            How did one get training as a musician?

            Know about the Baroque orchestra

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

            See pages 132-134 in text – and all handouts

**** J.S. Bach, Organ Fugue in g minor (Little Fugue), Listening guide p. 111,

CD 1, Track 68

Know the following concepts: Fugue, Subject, Countersubject, Pedal point, Exposition

What are the 4 ways a fugue subject can be varied?

Opera in the Baroque:

Know the following concepts: aria, recitative, libretto/librettist, ensembles, supertitles, castrato, da capo aria, Florentine Camerata, early themes used by opera composers

**** Claudio Monteverdi, Tu se’ morta, from Orfeo, Listening guide p. 121, CD 1, track 71

-recitative

            -what is happening in this scene?

            -what is basso continuo?

            -how is word painting used?

****Antonio Vivaldi, La Primavera (first movement only), from The Four Seasons, Listening guide p. 128, CD 2, track 1

-where did Vivaldi work?

-what is a concerto?

            -what is program music?

            -what is a trill?

**** Bach, Cantata No. 140, Wachet Auf, fourth movement only

Listening Guide p. 141, CD 2, Track 12

            What is a cantata?

            What is the vernacular?

What are the performing forces in this movement and where is the chorale melody?

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

            See pages 143-149 in text – and all handouts

Listen to Handel, Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah, Listening Guide p.148-149, CD 2, Track 17

-What is an oratorio? Who is involved in performing? What kinds of movements are there?

            -word painting

            -where is the text from?

Classical Period (1750-1820)

Be familiar with the six characteristics of Classical music.

The Classical orchestra: know sections involved, larger than Baroque orchestra, smaller than today. Composers exploit individual tone colors of instruments.

Classical forms: Instrumental compositions usually consist of several movements that contrast tempo and character.

Typical four movement symphony makes use of the following formula:

1^st mvmt. = ?      2^nd mvmt. = ?    3^rd mvmt. = ?  4^th mvmt. = ?

Use of silence – fermata

How did the growth of the middle class affect the characteristics/amount of music produced in the classical period?

The Symphony:

-A very important development in the Classical period.

-an extended, ambitious composition for orchestra

-Classical symphonies exploited the expanded range of tone colors and dynamic levels available with the growth in size of the orchestra. (Four families of instruments)

Sonata Form:

Know the basics of the form

Where was this form used? What movements or types of pieces was it seen in?

What is the role of each of the sections?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

See pages 179-194 in text and all handouts

****Listen to Mozart, Symphony No. 40 in g minor, Allegro – first movement only Listening guide p. 166, CD 2, Track 23

-sonata form

-know what the orchestra is made up of

-rhythmic pattern – describe the rhythmic motive that Mozart used throughout this movement.

****Listen to Mozart, Don Giovanni, excerpt from Act I

Listening Guide p. 183, CD 3, Track 1

-know the plot and characters

-understand opera terms from previous periods that apply

-blend of comic and serious opera

****Listen to Mozart, Piano Concerto, first movement only

Listening Guide p. 191, CD 3, Track 5

-who is a concerto written for?

-What was the most popular instrument featured in the concerti?

-What is a cadenza?

Classical Chamber Music:

-Where is this music meant to be performed?

-How many performers are usually involved?

-What was the most popular type of chamber music and which of the composers we studied was known as the “Father” of that type of composition?

Who are the three main composers of the Classical period?

How did their lifestyles and job security influence each of these men?

Baroque pieces

Bach	Organ Fugue in g minor (Little Fugue)	Brief CD 1, Track 68	p. 109
Monteverdi	Orfeo, Tu se’ morta	Brief CD 1, Track 71	p. 119
Vivaldi	La Primavera, from The Four Seasons, First movement	Brief CD 2, Track 1	p. 126
Bach	Cantata No. 140, Wachet Auf, Fourth movement	Brief CD 2, Track 12	p. 139
Handel	Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah	Brief CD 2, Track 17	p. 146

 Classical pieces

Mozart	Symphony No. 40 First movement	Brief CD 2, Track 23	p. 164
Mozart	Don Giovanni Act I excerpt	Brief CD 3, Track 1	p. 181
Mozart	Piano Concerto First movement	Brief CD 3, Track 5	p. 189