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AOS1 - Western Classical Tradition - Coggle Diagram
AOS1 - Western Classical Tradition
Oratorios
An oratorio is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir and soloists.
main types:
chorus
Aria (solo with orchestra accompaniment)
Recitative
Melisma: A single syllable of text sung over a succession of notes.
Word-painting: where the music mimics words (e.g using high notes when the word 'high' is used)
4 voices features:
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass
Features of Opera
Used props, costumes, scenery
Featured acting
Lyrics were secular (not religious)
focused on themes such as:
betrayal
Murder
romance
Features of Oratorios
No acting
Lyrics are sacred
Bible narratives
Baroque Orchestra
Very small orchestra
Strings violins, violas, cellos and double basses
Woodwind recorders or wooden flutes, oboes, and bassoon
Brass sometimes trumpets and/or horns (without valves)
Timpani (kettledrums)
Continuo (harpsichord or organ)
Ornamentation
acciaccatura
Played as quickly as possible before the note that follows it.
trill
Rapid alternation of the note shown and the note above it.
lower mordant
Play the note shown, the note below, then the original note again.
upper mordant
Play the note, the note above, then the original note again.
appoggiatura
Takes part of the value of the note shown (usually half).
turn
Play the note above, then the note shown, the note below and then the note shown again.
Features of classical music
Clear, balanced phrases
Mostly diatonic harmony
question and answer phrases
expressive melodies
mostly homophonic tetures
contrasts in dynamics
contrasts in mood
sequencing
The sonata form
Three main sections:
The exposition- in two parts (1st subject in the tone, 2nd in the dominant
The development- Themes from exposition are explored and transformed
The Recapitulation- initial theme returns (1st subject in tonic, 2nd stays in tonic)
Symphonies
Symphony- large scale orchestral work intended to be played in a concert hall
Standard Classical structure:
1st movement - Allegro (in sonata form
2nd movement- Slow
3rd movement- Minuet (dance with 3 beats in a bar)
4th movement- Allegro
Romantic Vs Classical
Romantic music sounds more intense
Features intense chromaticism
Romantic is usually far more expressive
The pedal in piano music is used extensively
composers towards the end of the romantic era tarted to experiment using dissonance and unusual tonalities
Features of romantic music
the tonality (major/minor)
Describing the melody
Dynamics
key signature
use of pedal
phrasing