Glossary of Music Terms (under development)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Absolute Music: Nonreferential or 'pure' music not driven by a written or presumed narrative.

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B

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C

Coda: A passage added at the end of a movement to make a satisfactory finish.

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D

Dynamics: Element of musical expression relating to the degree of loudness or softness, or volume, of a sound.

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E

Exposition: Opening section. Major thematic material is first stated.

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F

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G

Gesamtkunstwerk: A term coined by Richard Wagner to describe the balance between music, poetry, drama, and visual spectacle in his later operas.

Grand Opera: Style of Romantic opera developed in Paris, focusing on serious, historical plots with huge choruses, crowd scenes, elaborate dance episodes, ornate costumes and spectacular scenery.

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H

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I

Idée fixe: A recurring theme. Most noted in Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique.

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J

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K

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L

Leitmotif: A musical theme written to convey a character or object. Wagner made extensive use of these in his operas. Another example is Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.

Lied: German song.

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M

Melisma: More than one note per syllable in vocal music.

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N

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O

Octave: Interval between two tones seven diatonic pitches apart; the lower note vibrates half as fast as the upper and sounds an octave lower.

Orchestra: An ensemble of multiple string parts with various woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Ornamentation: Melodic decoration, either improvised.

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P

Program Music: Referential or descriptive music driven by a written or understood narrative.

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Q

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R

Rondo Form: Compositional form consisting of a number of different sections alternating with a repitition of the first (always in the tonic key): A-B-A-C-A-D-A.

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S

Scale: A series of tones or pitches in ascending or descending order.

Scherzo: Playful, or a joke.

Sonata Form: Compositional form consisting of 3 sections, delineated by cadences: Exposition (theme I {in tonic}, transistion, theme II {usually in dominant or relitave minor}, and coda), Development (tension), and Recapitulation (resolution {theme I & II in tonic}).

Sturm und Drang: "Storm and stress"; late eighteenth century movement in Germany toward more emotional expression in the arts.

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T

Tempo: Speed.

Ternary Form: Compositional form consisting of three sections: Statement, Digression, and Restatement (A-B-A).

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U

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V

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W

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X

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Y

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Z

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