| A | B |
|---|
| Affection | Mood |
| Terraced Dynamics | Dynamics that change suddenly, no gradual shifts |
| Basso Continuo | Bass line and chords played by two people, one keyboard inst (harpsichord/organ) and one bass inst (bassoon/cello) |
| Baroque Orchestra | Strings and basso continuo with optional woodwinds, brasses, and percussion (smaller than modern orch) |
| Movement | piece that sounds complete and independent, but it part of a larger piece |
| Music director | Person who composes and directs performances. responsible for instruments, library, and musicians |
| Concerto Grosso | multi-movement composition featuring 2-4 soloists |
| Tutti | Full Orchestra |
| Ritornello Form | form where the soloists, playing new material, alternate with the tutti, playing the ritornello |
| Ritornello | Refrain (chorus) |
| Opera | drama sung to orchestra accompaniment (includes orchestra, chorus, soloists, costumes, and scenery) |
| Libretto | book or words of an opera |
| Librettist | person who writes the book or words to an opera |
| Aria | solo song accompanied by orchestra usually expressing emotions |
| Recitative | singing style in opera imitating speech |
| Solo | song for one singer |
| Ensemble | song for three or more soloists |
| chorus | song for full group of singers |
| Overture (Prelude) | instrumental introduction (piece for orchestra setting the mood for an opera) |
| Camarata | group of nobles, musicians, etc that developed opera |
| Castrati | male singers castrated before puberty to preserve high vocal range |
| Da Capo Aria | Aria in ternary form (A B A) |
| Da Capo | From the beginning |
| Ground Bass (Basso Ostinato) | bass line that is repeated throughout a piece while melody changes above it |
| Sonata | composition in several movements for 1-8 instruments |
| Trio Sonata | Sonata for three parts (two high inst and basso continuo) played by four musicians |
| Sonata da chiesa | church sonata (sacred, serious, dignified character) |
| Sonata da camera | chamber sonata (secular, court, dancelike movements) |
| Program Music | Instrumental music telling a story |
| Suite | a set of dance inspired movements |
| French Overture | piece in binary form (AABB) often introducing a suite (A=slow with dotted rhythms, B=quicker, starts like a fugue) |
| Fugue | Polyphonic composition based on one main theme |
