Classical Music- Types of Composition

A

A light spirited piece; also a move in ballet

Burgmuller, Debussy

B

A rather long, expressive "narrative" composition

Chopin, Brahms

C

A choral composition with a continuous narrative text, sacred or secular, consisting of numerous sections or movements

Bach, Rameau, Handel

D

A composition for two performers of equal importance

Brahms, Schubert, Poulenc

E

A technical study, raised to virtuostic levels by certain composers

Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff

F

An imaginative "free form" composition which does not follow any strict overall form

Brahms, Chopin

G

Liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic church

Anoymous

H

A dance from Cuba, usually in slow to moderate duple time

Bizet

I

Name applied to 19th century character pieces, generally rather short

Schubert, Chopin

J

An English popular dance of the 16th century

derived from folk music

K

The first item of the ordinary of Roman Catholic mass, consisting of three invocations, each sung three times

anonymous

L

Austrian dance in the character of a slow waltz

Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert

M

An unaccompanied vocal contrapuntal part-song, particularly popular during the Renaissance, employing counterpoint

anonymous

N

Expressive, lyrical composition generally written for piano

Field, Chopin

O

Musical drama with scenery, acting, and a sung libretto with orchestral accompaniment

Mozart, Puccini, Wagner

P

A 17th and 18th century term for a suite or set of variations

Bach

Q

Common trem for chamber music for 4 performers; typical instrumentation for strings consists of two vilons, a viola, and a cello

Beethoven, Schumann

R

Free form composition usually with a dramatic, "heroic" and/or national character

Brahms, Gershwin, Liszt

S

A multi-movement compostion for full orchestra

Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich

T

Virtuostic, but also expressive composition with somewhat free tempos, alternating full chords with rapid scale passages

Bach, Schumann, Debussy, Prokofieff

V

Composition which states a musical motif, theme, or harmonic sequence and then modifies it in numerous ways

Haydn, Beethoven Schubert

Z

A Spanish opera particularly popular in the 19th century which has spoken dialog as well as sung, but can be of a serious nature; it takes its name from a palace near Madrid, similar to Versailles

Barbieri, Chapi