Glossary of Musical Terms

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Listed below are a number of technical terms which frequently apply to the repertoire performed by the Chamber Chorus and may often be found in the program notes.

anthem/motet

choral setting of a religious text not forming part of the liturgy

antiphony

dividing the sound between two opposing groups of singers

chromaticism

using notes not found in the chosen diatonic scale

counterpoint

combining two or more melodies; repeating the melody in different voices is a canon, while imitating them at related pitches is a fugue.

homophony

all voices moving at the same time

liturgy

prayers and hymns specified for a particular service, e.g. Mass

madrigal

secular choral work flourishing in the 16th and 17th centuries; later called part song

melisma

one syllable sung to several notes

minimalism

compositional style which develops melody or harmony by the least steps possible

polyphony

several voice parts acting independently, not singing same words at the same time; opposite is monophony

word painting

conveying in melody, harmony or rhythm the sentiment or meaning of the text

unison

voices singing at one pitch (or in octaves)

Italian terms  (the plural changes the final -o to -i)

a cappella

unaccompanied singing (literally, 'in the chapel')

crescendo

increasing in volume

decrescendo

weakening in volume; sometimes called diminuendo

forte

loud; opposite is piano

glissando

sliding upwards or downwards of adjacent notes

legato

smooth phrasing

leggiero

light singing; opposite is marcato

mezzo

medium

ostinato

the repetition of a rhythmic or melodic motif

portamento

moving between notes with no appreciable break in sound

rallentando

getting slower; sometimes ritardando

Requiem

Catholic Mass for the Dead, opening with the text Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine (Rest eternal grant them, Lord)

ritardando

reducing speed

ritenuto

slow at once

sforzando

sudden attack, with force

staccato tempo

speed

tutti

all singing; opposite is solo