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.
English terms
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 phythmic 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 – separated or detached phrasing; opposite is legato
tempo – speed
tutti – all singing; opposite is solo