Baroque, anthems, oratorios flashcards.

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Who was George Frideric Handel?

Back

A German composer (1685-1759) who lived in England from about 1710. He was one of the most important composers of the Baroque period, popular with Queen Anne, George I, and George II. Handel composed music for the coronation of King George II and wrote many operas, oratorios, and orchestral music.

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What is a Coronation Anthem?

Back

These are pieces of music specifically composed to be performed at the Coronation of a new monarch.

Front

Describe the key musical features of Handel's Coronation Anthems

Back

- Large choir and orchestra due to the importance of the occasion - Prominent strings in the accompaniment - Trumpet fanfares and timpani in triumphant sections - Organ plays basso continuo in some sections - Textures vary between homophonic chordal sections and polyphonic sections with imitation - Melismas in choir parts - Diatonic harmony with clear perfect cadences

• - Lots of ornamentation in the melody (E.g trills)

Front

What is basso continuo?

Back

A type of accompaniment played by a bass instrument (e.g., cello) and a harmony instrument (e.g., harpsichord or organ).

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What is 'imitation' in music?

Back

A musical device where the melody in one part is copied in another part a few beats later.

This was very common in the baroque period.

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What is a melisma?

Back

Many different notes sung to one syllable. The opposite is syllabic singing.

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What is an Oratorio?

Back

A large-scale composition for solo voices, large choir, and orchestra, often with a Biblical or religious story.

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What does SATB stand for?

Back

Soprano, Tenor, Alto, Bass

These are the different voice types

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What is word painting in music?

Back

A technique where the music tries to match the meaning of the words.

Front

What is a homophonic texture?

Back

A homophonic texture will sound like chords. So all the parts tend to move with the same rhythm but have different notes to create harmonies.