Music Appreciation Essay

1. What be figured bass and basso continuo? How are they related? Figured bass is a unisonal notation victimization numbers to indicate chords, intervals, and other aspects in relation to the bass posting of the music and basso continuo is the harmony of the music itself. (this has no social function to do with the question when I took AP music theory, figured bass was my favorite thing to do)2. What is ornamentation?Ornamentation is the routine of non-necessary musical flourishes, such as trills and grace notes, to the basic melody or harmony.3. What is an oratorio? How does it differ from an opera?Oratorios are basically just concerts, whereas operas are more theatrical. Oratorios have a different focus and dont use scenery the like operas.4. What is an orchestra? How did the development of orchestras influence churrigueresque music? Orchestras are larger subservient ensembles or groups that contain brass, attract, percussion, and woodwind instruments. The development of or chestras brought along the development of in the raw instruments, like the violin and cello & it also brought along the composition of orchestral music specifically.5. What is an instrumental suite?A composition that consists of a date of short pieces, forming into a large composition.Critical thinking questions1. What are the characteristics of baroqueness music? How would you describe fancy music?Baroque music is delimit as that in which the harmony is confused, charged with modulations and dissonances, the melody is harsh and picayune natural, the intonation difficult, and the movement constrained (Jean-Jacques Rousseau). To me, baroque music is extremely unique and decorative extremely difficult and concise, yet beautiful all at the same time.2. Choose one of the composers discussed in the unit and listen to several(prenominal) of the composers works. Which works did you listen to? How would you describe this composers music? why do you think this composer was an potent figure in Baroque music?I chose to listen to one of my favorite composers of all time, Antonio Vivaldi. I listened to The iv Seasons (every season & every movement). I find his compositions astounding, sufficient to tell stories without the use of words. Small things such as the incorporation of animals and sounds from nature truly headstone a picture in the mind. In addition to this, the sudden qualify from a soothing violin soloist playing to a group of string instruments playing at once completely dramatizes the piece, making it more meaningful. Overall, I believe Vivaldi is an amazing composer, who was highly influential in the Baroque current due to his use of mostly stringed instruments, and he was highly innovative. His music was highly decorated and creative, and in most cases, very melodic and smooth. Vivaldi continues to be an influential composer to this day.3. How did composers and musicians think about themselves during the Baroque period? How did this influence th e music that they created?4. What advantages and disadvantages did Baroque composers have in the patronage system? What did they gain from this practice? What limitations did it emerge on them?They were able to showcase their musical genius, yet they were limited to what they were able to play because of what the patron wanted to hear. They did gain a lot of fame and promotional material through the patronage system despite the limitations that were placed on them.5. Baroque music often tried to seize and reflect a special(prenominal) perception or feeling. Choose one of the musical works in the unit. Identify the work that you chose. What feeling or emotion is the composer trying to capture or reflect in the work? What aspects of the music lead you to this emotion or feeling?