Midterm Exam Study Guide

Nocturne: is usually a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night.
Lied: German for song; in formal music study, usually refers to German art song
compensatory history : is the most common approach to women's history, a form of
making amends for generally leaving women out of history. Primarily biographical, the great
women's approach
theme and variation form: segmented musical form in which an original theme is
first utilized, and subsequent segments of the work vary the original theme via
manipulation of musical elements such as rhythm and harmony
Canonic figures : those composers and musicians whose works show
change/progress
chamber music: music for performance by a small group, usually with one
performer to a part, as in a string quartet; originally for small audiences
opera: a dramatic work that is entirely sung
program music: instrumental work that tells a story or suggests a non-musical idea;
may actually be associated with a written program, but sometimes only includes a
suggestive title
Art song : a song written by a trained composer to convey a specific artistic idea, as
in projecting the mood and meaning of a poetic text
Concerto: a musical composition usually composed in three parts or movements, in which (usually)
one solo instrument (for instance, a piano, violin, cello or flute) is accompanied by an orchestra or concert
band

character piece
: quasi- programmatic piece for piano that emerged in the 19 th
century that suggested a mood or feeling via title or overall aesthetic; tended to be
fairly simple in structure
monody: style that features a vocal soloist with an instrumental accompaniment
Sonata form: frequently found in the first movement of a sonata or symphony;
usually consists of an exposition with contrasting segments, followed by a
development of the exposition, and a recapitulation which returns to the original key
or tonality
basso continuo: continuous bass ; Baroque system in which a bass line is written
trobairitz: female poet- composer of southern France in the 12 th and 13th centuries

primary source document: artifact that provides first-hand accounts of historical

events or subjects; letters, diaries, and original music manuscripts are examples
Madrigal: Italian secular vocal genre that utilizes poetic texts; stylistic traits and
number of voice parts change by historical period
word painting : in texted works, using musical gestures or elements to reflect
movement and emotion in the text
agrments: French for charm; refers to an ornament in music, usually indicated by
a written sign in the music
cantata: based on the Italian to sing; sacred or secular vocal work with
performance forces ranging from soloist, to chorus and orchestra
Sonata: genre for one or two solo instruments; features multiple movements
Symphony: extended work for orchestra, usually with multiple movements
absolute music: music that does not seek to suggest a story or scene, but is
concerned with formal construction; distinguished from program music
oratorio: a large piece of music for a group of singers and musicians that is usually about a
religious subject

five factors for womens musical success: family musical involvement, access to
education, social/financial means for musical opportunities, personal/domestic
challenges, and socio-cultural conditions of the time
describe the importance of the rise of public venues (Gewandhaus and
Concert Spirituel) for music performance in the Classical and Romantic
Eras:

difference between amateur and professional status of musicians and know examples of
activities in both spheres:
Amateur: not influential, more of a hobby/amusement
Professional: respect and prestige, movers and shakers

Know the expected feminine genres of musical compositions:

art song
solo instrumental
chamber music
choral works
masculine genres:
symphonies
operas
concertos
Know what a large scale work is and be able to name/recognize examples
Large scale work: genres that require large numbers of performers; also
refers to pieces that are of significant length (orchestral works, operas,
oratorios, choral pieces)
Large-scale works were performed in public spaces and required many
performers and in-depth musical training, both often inaccessible to women
unless they were members of musical families
Public sphere = masculine
Know what a salon was (in terms of music) and womens roles within it
The salon was a place of musical sharing and arts promotion that included
women
Women such as Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel had significant roles as
performers and arts
promoters in salon settings
Home/salon acceptable place for women to perform
Roles-patroness, composer, performer
Know the difference between private sphere and public sphere of music making and be able to
recognize examples of activities in each
Private sphere: ?
Public sphere: innapropriate for women to perform publically

Know what the ospedali were and why they were important to women

Four ospedali (conservatories) established in Venice

In-depth musical education

Concerts of both instrumental and vocal music: concertos, oratorios

Gave musically talented women an alternative to marriage: they could teach and perform in an
institution other than convent

Know the significance of published music versus handwritten manuscripts

Published music:
Handwritten manuscripts:

Be able to recognize the musical legacies/significant achievements/musical

accomplishments of these composers: Caccini, Strozzi, Jacquet de la Guerre,
Paradis, Schumann
Caccini
Proficient on harp, harpsichord, lute, and guitar
1618 published First Book of Music for One and Two Voices includes sacred madrigals
Once highest paid musician at the Medici court
Caccinis published works:
Extensive collection of vocal works probably used as teaching pieces

Strozzi
-wrote more cantatas than any other composer of her era
- Wrote more than 100 solo vocal works
Published eight volumes of song (1644-1664)
Almost all of her compositions published during her lifetime under her name
Made a living as a composer, not performer
Composed arias, cantatas, madrigals

Jacquet de la Guerre

- Child prodigy noted in leading French newspaper

Was the only composer to publish harpsichord suites in both the 17 th and 18th
centuries
Was included in early musical catalogues and dictionaries

Paradis
Triumphed over physical disabilities self supporting
Established music school
Music education for women and the blind
Was a child prodigy
Represents model of talented woman musician working at a time when men dominated the
concert stages
Published works under her own name and negotiated directly with publishers
Through school, provided music education to underserved segments of population (women and
blind students)

Schumann
Composer published under her own name
Interpreter, editor, champion of Robert Schumanns works
By the end of her career, Clara Schumann had performed 38 extensive foreign tours and
enumerable times in Germany