Page 345 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

GLOSSARY 343

in which fixed sequences of music Soprano The highest of the four Tonality System of major and
are used as a foundation to create standard singing voices—above minor scales and keys; forms the
a more complex whole work. alto, tenor, and bass; term for a basis of all Western music from the
female or a young boy singing in 17th century until Schoenberg in
Sharp A note that has been raised this vocal range. the early 20th century. Tonal music
by a half step—for example, F adheres to the principles of tonality.
raised by a half step is F-sharp; also Staff The grid of five horizontal
describes an instrument or voice lines on which music is written; Tone Two half steps; equal to
that is out of tune by being higher also called a “stave.” the interval of a major second,
than the intended pitch. comprising two adjacent positions
Suite Multimovement work— on a staff. See also semitone.
Singspiel Literally “song play” in generally instrumental—made up
German, a type of comic opera of a series of contrasting dance Tone poem Extended single-
with spoken dialogue rather than movements, usually all in one key. movement symphonic work, usually
recitative; typified in Mozart’s programmatic, often describing
The Magic Flute. Symphony Large-scale work landscape or literary works; also
for full orchestra; Classical and called a “symphonic poem.”
Sonata Popular instrumental piece Romantic symphonies both contain
for one or more players; originated four movements—traditionally an Tonic The first note, or degree, of
in the Baroque period, when the allegro, a slower second movement, any diatonic (major or minor) scale;
term referred to a short piece for a a scherzo, and a lively finale. Later most important note of the scale,
solo or small group of instruments symphonies can contain more or providing the focus for the melody
accompanied by a basso continuo. fewer—the first movement is often and harmony of a piece of music;
in sonata form, and the slow also describes the main key of a
Sonata da camera “Chamber movement and finale may follow piece of music.
sonata” in Italian; a type of a similar structure.
chamber piece—usually for two Treble The highest unchanged
violins with basso continuo—from Temperament Tuning an male voice, or the highest
the late 17th and early 18th century. instrument by adjusting intervals instrument or part in a piece of
between notes to enable it to play music; also the name for the symbol
Sonata da chiesa “Church sonata”; in different keys. Most keyboard (clef) used to indicate notes above
a multi-instrumental piece similar instruments are tuned using “equal middle C on the piano.
to the sonata da camera, usually temperament” based on an octave
comprising four movements: a slow of 12 equal half steps. Triad A three-note chord that
introduction, a fugal movement, a consists of a root note plus the
slow movement, and a quick finale. Tempo The pace of a work; intervals of a third and a fifth.
indicated on sheet music with There are four types: major (e.g.
Sonata principle A musical form terms such as allegro (“quickly”) C–E–G), minor (e.g. C–E-flat–G),
made up of the exposition (two or adagio (“slowly”). augmented (e.g. C–E–G-sharp), and
subjects linked by a bridge section, diminished (e.g. C–E-flat–G-flat).
the second of which is in a different Tenor The highest natural adult
key), the development (expounding male voice; also a term describing Vibrato The rapid, regular
upon the exposition), and the an instrument in this range. variation of pitch around a single
recapitulation, an altered restating note for expressive effect.
of the exposition in the tonic key. Timbre The particular quality
(literally “stamp”), or character, 12-tone music Works in which
Song cycle A group of songs that of a sound that enables a listener each degree of the chromatic scale
tells a story or shares a common to distinguish one instrument (or is ascribed the same degree of
theme; designed to be performed voice) from another; synonymous importance, eliminating any
in a sequence as a single entity. with “tone color.” concept of key or tonality.

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