Deck 11: Baroque Vocal Music

Question 1

The texture of stanza 4 of "Christ lag in Todesbanden" is:

A) imitative polyphony.
B) non-imitative polyphony.
C) homophony.
D) monophony.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The performing forces in stanza 3 of "Christ lag in Todesbanden" are:

A) castrato and festive Baroque orchestra.
B) voices and continuo.
C) baritone voice, viola, and continuo.
D) tenor voice, violin, and continuo.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The performing forces in "La giustizia" are:

A) one vocal soloist, strings, and trumpet.
B) one vocal soloist, strings, and continuo.
C) two vocal soloists, strings, flutes, and continuo.
D) three vocal soloists, strings, flutes, trumpets, and continuo.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which do you hear in stanza 7 of "Christ lag in Todesbanden"?

A) choral fugue
B) gapped chorale melody
C) straightforward chorale melody
D) arioso

Question 5

Which do you hear in stanza 3 of "Christ lag in Todesbanden"?

A) variation over ground bass
B) gapped chorale tune
C) recitative
D) aria

Question 6

Who composed "Christ lag in Todesbanden"?

A) Antonio Vivaldi
B) Henry Purcell
C) Johann Sebastian Bach
D) George Frideric Handel

Question 7

What are the textures of the Hallelujah Chorus?

A) monophony and homophony
B) monophony, homophony, and polyphony
C) homophony and polyphony
D) polyphony and monophony

Question 8

Which describes what happens in "La giustizia" when the aria begins?

A) The full orchestra plays, and the meter is regular.
B) The full orchestra plays, and the chorus comes in.
C) Only the continuo plays the accompaniment, and the meter is less regular.
D) Two soloists sing instead of just one.

Question 9

The recitative "There were shepherds" is part of a larger work called:

A) Julius Caesar.
B) Christmas Oratorio.
C) Messiah.
D) Dido and Aeneas.

Question 10

Who composed Messiah?

A) Johann Sebastian Bach
B) Antonio Vivaldi
C) Henry Purcell
D) George Frideric Handel

Question 11

In terms of accompaniment,the four sections of the recitative "There were shepherds" are:

A) all accompanied.
B) all secco.
C) accompanied, secco, secco, accompanied.
D) secco, accompanied, secco, accompanied.

Question 12

The performing forces in the recitative "There were shepherds" are:

A) one vocal soloist and continuo.
B) two vocal soloists, strings, and continuo.
C) one vocal soloist, strings, and continuo.
D) two vocal soloists, flutes, oboes, trumpets, strings, and continuo.

Question 13

"La giustizia" is from a(n):

A) oratorio.
B) Mass.
C) cantata.
D) opera.

Question 14

Who composed Julius Caesar?

A) Johann Sebastian Bach
B) George Frideric Handel
C) Antonio Vivaldi
D) Arcangelo Corelli

Question 15

Which is true of the ending of the chorus "Glory to God"?

A) The loud dynamics of the opening are maintained all the way to the end.
B) The orchestra gets quieter and quieter.
C) The trumpets play a fanfare at the very end.
D) The chorus becomes quiet and accompanies the strings.

Question 16

The recitative "There were shepherds" is part of a(n):

A) opera.
B) cantata.
C) oratorio.
D) Mass.

Question 17

The performing forces in the Hallelujah Chorus consist of:

A) chorus and continuo.
B) chorus, festive Baroque orchestra, and female soloist.
C) chorus, continuo, and trumpet.
D) chorus and festive Baroque orchestra.

Question 18

Which part has the main melody in stanza 4 of "Christ lag in Todesbanden"?

A) violin
B) tenor voice
C) soprano voice
D) alto voice

Question 19

"La giustizia" begins with a(n):

A) secco recitative.
B) arioso.
C) ritornello.
D) accompanied recitative.

Question 20

"Christ lag in Todesbanden" is part of a(n):

A) cantata.
B) chorale.
C) opera.
D) Mass.

Question 21

The singing style characterized by fast runs and scales,a large pitch range,cadenzas,and virtuosic displays of all sorts is:

A) oratorio.
B) da capo.
C) arioso.
D) coloratura.

Question 22

The most important genre in Baroque secular vocal music is:

A) madrigal.
B) chanson.
C) opera.
D) motet.

Question 23

Which is true of an aria?

A) An aria is ordinarily accompanied only by the continuo.
B) An aria's text phrases are not repeated.
C) An aria has coherence and musical elaboration.
D) An aria is used to keep the plot moving.

Question 24

The text of an opera is called the:

A) mot.
B) word painting.
C) arioso.
D) libretto.

Question 25

Which is true of an oratorio?

A) An oratorio is performed as part of a religious service.
B) An oratorio is the most secular of all religious genres.
C) An oratorio uses a chorus and soloists as well as instrumentalists.
D) Oratorios are staged, with elaborate sets.

Question 26

Handel's most famous oratorio,which is performed frequently today,is:

A) Julius Caesar.
B) Water Music.
C) Rodelinda.
D) Messiah.

Question 27

Opera seria is a style of Baroque opera that originated in:

A) Italy.
B) France.
C) England.
D) Germany.

Question 28

In da capo form,more elaborate ornamentation occurs primarily in the ________ section(s).

A) opening A
B) B
C) final A
D) A and B

Question 29

The standard form for the Baroque Italian opera aria is ________ form.

A) song
B) ritornello
C) binary
D) da capo

Question 30

Which part has the main melody in stanza 7 of "Christ lag in Todesbanden"?

A) soprano voice
B) alto voice
C) tenor voice
D) bass voice

Question 31

Many Baroque operas deal with ancient ________,whereas oratorios deal with ancient ________.

A) Greece; Rome
B) Rome; Greece
C) Rome; Israel
D) Israel; Rome

Question 32

The musical term for "from the beginning" is:

A) arioso.
B) da capo.
C) a tempo.
D) allegretto.

Question 33

Handel composed most of his operas and oratorios in:

A) Germany.
B) England.
C) Italy.
D) France.

Question 34

The application of "vocabulary of the emotions" occurs most easily in:

A) chamber music.
B) vocal music.
C) solo sonatas.
D) orchestral music.

Question 35

A recitative with full orchestral accompaniment is called:

A) accompanied recitative.
B) secco recitative.
C) arioso recitative.
D) da capo recitative.

Question 36

Castrati generally sang:

A) soprano or alto solo.
B) soprano or alto chorus.
C) tenor or bass solo.
D) tenor or bass chorus.

Question 37

A recitative in which only continuo instruments play the accompaniment is called:

A) accompanied recitative.
B) secco recitative.
C) arioso.
D) da capo.

Question 38

The essence of the text of "La giustizia" involves:

A) encouragement of a love affair.
B) encouragement of religious behavior.
C) discouragement of villainous tyranny and cruelty.
D) encouragement of vengeance and justice.

Question 39

Handel knew how to follow the tastes of the public in his compositional style.This is shown in his switch from writing ________ to writing ________.

A) operas; oratorios
B) string music; woodwind and brass music
C) oratorios; operas
D) vocal music; instrumental music

Question 40

The technique of declaiming words musically in a heightened,theatrical manner is called:

A) word painting.
B) vocabulary of the emotions.
C) recitative.
D) aria.

Question 41

Describe the spectacular elements of Baroque opera.

Question 42

In the Baroque era,women were most able to participate in music professionally by:

A) playing an instrument.
B) singing.
C) making instruments.
D) composing music.

Question 43

Compare and contrast secco recitative and accompanied recitative.

Question 44

The person who first organized congregational hymn singing in Protestant churches was:

A) Johann Sebastian Bach.
B) George Frideric Handel.
C) Martin Luther.
D) Henry Purcell.

Question 45

Describe what happens in an opera during a recitative.Refer to plot,possible accompaniment styles,meter,melody,and form in your answer.

Question 46

How does Messiah differ from other oratorios?

A) Messiah uses chorus and soloists.
B) Messiah does not have characters acting out a story.
C) Messiah's text is taken from the Bible.
D) Messiah is not staged, but is presented in concert form.

Question 47

The important genre that was used in Lutheran church services,which was very much like a second sermon,is called a(n):

A) oratorio.
B) motet.
C) church cantata.
D) chorale.

Question 48

Define libretto.What is the term for one who writes libretti?

Question 49

Bach's cantata "Christ lag in Todesbanden" comprises:

A) an orchestral prelude followed by seven stanza movements.
B) several arias and recitatives.
C) an overture, arias, and several choruses.
D) three movements, each with a gapped chorale tune.

Question 50

"There were shepherds" is a(n):

A) cantata.
B) aria.
C) recitative.
D) chorus.

Question 51

What characteristic does each of the sung portions of "Christ lag in Todesbanden" share?

A) a gapped chorale tune
B) homophonic texture
C) monophonic texture
D) the ending word, "Hallelujah"

Question 52

"Glory to God" is a(n):

A) aria.
B) chorus.
C) recitative.
D) cantata.

Question 53

The Hallelujah Chorus is a good example of changing:

A) tempos.
B) rhythms.
C) meters.
D) textures.

Question 54

Describe how a Baroque composer might have "painted" the following words musically to heighten musical expression: rejoicing,victory,high.Refer to as many musical elements as you can in your answer.

Question 55

What is the message to the shepherds in "There were shepherds"?

A) the birth of the Christ Child
B) the resurrection of Christ
C) the conception of the Christ Child
D) God's eternal reign

Question 56

Define and discuss the elements of Italian opera seria.

Question 57

The preexisting melodies on which many of Lutheran church cantatas are based are:

A) plainchants.
B) religious arias.
C) paraphrases.
D) chorales.

Question 58

One of the most famous singers in Handel's operas was:

A) Hildegard of Bingen.
B) Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet.
C) Marin de la Guerre.
D) Francesca Cuzzoni.

Question 59

Describe coloratura singing.

Question 60

It is customary for audiences to ________ during a performance of the Hallelujah Chorus.

A) sing
B) clap
C) stand
D) sit

Question 61

Distinguish between recitative,secco recitative,accompanied recitative,and da capo aria.

Question 62

Briefly describe the role,purpose,and lives of castrati.

Question 63

Is the plot of Julius Caesar accurate according to the historical account? Explain why or why not.

Question 64

Which secular vocal genre influenced sacred Baroque vocal music? Explain.

Question 65

Define oratorio.List the features of a typical oratorio.

Question 66

Explain the impresario side of Handel's musical career.

Question 67

How is Messiah different from other works in the same genre?

Question 68

Describe the role and impotance of the choir in sacred Baroque music.

Question 69

Define chorale.Relate chorales to Lutheran church music and religious Baroque compositions.

Question 70

Define da capo.Use letters to diagram da capo form.What happens in the last part of a da capo aria?

Question 71

How does the composer treat emotional display in Julius Caesar?

Question 72

Describe the source and story of Messiah.

Question 73

Briefly explain the career opportunities for women in the Baroque era.How did music offer opportunities for women to work? What were the advantages and disadvantages of such careers?

Question 74

Who was Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet? Why was her life unusual? What did she do in music? Who was her sponsor?

Question 75

Describe the varied role of the chorus in Messiah.

Question 76

Distinguish between oratorio and church cantata.

Question 77

Explain how Handel changed the genre he composed in when the public's tastes changed.

Question 78

Briefly explain the structure of Cantata No.4,"Christ lag in Todesbanden." On what material is the work based?

Question 79

Describe the church cantata.Compare and contrast opera and the church cantata in terms of function,setting,staging,purpose,and so on.