Classical Vocabulary

Chamber Music

• Definition- Compositions traditionally intended for a
• performance in a small room or concert hall,
• and written for an instrumental ensemble,
• usually with one player for each part.
• 
• Caption: This is chamber music for a string quartet (see slide 7).

Commission

• Definition- A practice whereby a composer is hired
• to write a piece of music in exchange
• for a fee.
• 
• Caption: Memphis Music is a musical commission company.

Concerto

• Definition- A musical work for solo instrument, sometimes
• alone, sometimes with an accompaniment of
• one or more instruments and sometimes
• accompanied by an orchestra.
• 
• Caption: This is a concerto for piano (piano concerto)

Libretto

• Definition- The text or written words of a dramatic
• musical work, such as an opera.
• 
• Caption: This is the libretto of the famous opera "Carmen", produced by Metropolitan

Prodigy

• Definition- A person, often quite young in age, with
• exceptional talents or powers.
• 
• Caption: This is Mozart as a young child playing the piano. He was a child prodigy.

Sonata

• Definition- An instrumental work for a solo instrument
• performing alone or with accompaniment,
• in three contrasting movements, such as
• fast-slow-fast or loud-soft-loud.
• 
• Caption: This is a copy of Beethoven's famous "Moonlight Sonata"

String Quartet

• Definition- Four people playing stringed instruments,
• most often including a first and second
• violinist, a violist and a cellist. Or, a
• musical work written for this combination of
• instruments
• 
• Caption: This is a performing string quartet. As you can see it consists of 2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello.

Symphony

• Definition- 1. An extended composition in three or
• more movements for orchestra. Beethoven
• added a chorus, therefore calling it a choral
• symphony. 2. A large group of musicians
• who play together on various instruments.
• 
• Caption: This is a copy of Mozart's symphony No.4 in G minor.