| A | B |
|---|
| accompanied recitative | orchestral accompianment |
| aria | solo singer & orchestra in opera, cantata, oratorio |
| arioso | style between recitative and aria |
| bar lines | staffs to mark measure |
| Binary form | two different sections;AB form |
| cadenza | improvised passage for soloist in a concerto |
| cantata | several movements for solo voices, instruments, and chorus |
| chaconne | similar to passacaglia |
| chorale prelude | organ composition based on hymn |
| chorale | 4 part harmonization of a hymn |
| concerto | large compostion for orchestra |
| concerto grosso | group of solo instruments and small orchestra |
| continuo | set of chords continously underlying the melody |
| basso continuo | instruments playing continuo |
| countersubject | accompanies subject (harmony) |
| dance suite | piece consisting of a series of dances |
| episode | passage that doesn't have complete appearances of subject |
| exposition | first section of fugue |
| figured bass | notating by means of figures (also means continuo) |
| French overture | overture to an opera, French style |
| fugue | written with imitative polyphony , with main theme(subject) |
| ground bass | ostinato in the bass |
| homophony | one melody combined with chords |
| imitation/imitative polyphony | various melodic lines using approximately same themes |
| libretto | book of words (text) |
| movement | self-contained section of a larger piece |
| opera | drama with music, characters sing instead of speak |
| opera seria | serious, heroic opera |
| opus | means "work", numbers provide way of cataloging compositions |
| oratorio | long semidramatic piece on a religious subject |
| ostinato | motive, phrase, or theme repeated over and over |
| passacaglia | set of variations on a short theme in the bass |
| polyphony | two or more lines played simultaneously |
| recitative | half-singing/reciting style of presenting words |
| secco recitative | accompanied only by continuo |
| ritornello | orchestral material at beginning of piece that always returns later |
| sonata | chamber music piece in several movements, for 3 main instruments |
| sonata da camera | trio sonata |
| sonata da chiesa | solo sonata |
| stop | set of pipes covering entire pitch range in particular tone color |
| stretto | overlapping entrances of subject in several voices simultaneously |
| subject | principle theme of fugue |
| suite | piece consisting of a series of dances |
| trio sonata | 3 main instruments plus continuo chord instrument |
| variation form | single melodic unit repeated w/ harmonic, rhythmic, dynamic, or timbral changes |
| walking bass | steady, equal note values |
| ballad opera | humorous English opera |
| virtuosity | improvised- showing off |
