In similarity to its cousin the fugue, the Canon is a form of musical counterpoint. Where the fugue has voices which follow the melody returning to it, the canon has overlapping voices of repetition or imitation. The simplest type of canon is a...
A Cantata is a form of vocal music, usually with instrumental accompaniment, similar in sound to a diminished oratorio. Cantatas can be secular or sacred. Sacred cantatas played a central role in the Lutheran church.
The chorale is a German-Protestant hymn. In efforts to coerce the congregation into more participation, musician, composer, and religious reformer Martin Luther wrote the first known chorales in the early 16th century.
Concerto comes from the Latin word 'concertare' which can mean both opposing or in accord. This tells us that the concerto carries a primary principle of orchestral parts working together or in dispute with one another. Emerging from...
Divertimento originates from the Italian word for "diversion." It was a light versatile composition primary used for entertaining special guests or visiting dignitaries. The divertimento might be written in three, five, or up to...
A Fanfare is a flourish of trumpets or other brass instruments often with percussion accompaniment. It is a kind of announcement or introduction to an important event or ceremony of significance such as the King's entrance or other dignitary..
The art of the film score took off in the 1930s with the rise of the 'talkies' in Europe and the United States. At that time many eminent composers fled fascism and found work in Hollywood. The composers were well educated in Classical..
Basic counterpoint is used in just about any style of music. It may be as simple as the bass line answering the melody or a second and harmonizing instrumental part. The fugue however, is a full scale utilization of strict and concise counterpoint...
Hymns are most always written in a religious context. The definition of the hymn is 'a song of religious context used for worship or praise of a deity or even a prayer.' The word hymn originates with the Greek ὕμνος or "hymnos", which literally means "a song of praise."
The earliest Madrigal was a monophonic form of vocal music during the 14th century Medieval Italy. Originally, the style referred to the popular Italian songs of this time. With the discovery of polyphonic writing, music began to carry separate voices.
