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Masterpieces of Western Music

Humanities W1123 · Prof. Michael Thaddeus

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)


GLOSSARY

GENRE: a category of artistic composition characterized by similiarities in form, style, or material: e.g. "madrigal" or "concerto"

STYLE: a manner or mode of composition: e.g. "imitative polyphony" or "melody and accompaniment"

DYNAMICS: written instructions to perform softly or loudly

ORATORIO: a long work like an opera, but on a religious theme and not staged

KETTLEDRUMS or TIMPANI: big bowl-shaped drums with definite pitch

SOPRANO: the highest voice part, usually sung by women or boys

ALTO: the next-to-highest voice part, usually sung by women, occasionally by men

TENOR: the next-to-lowest voice part, usually sung by men

BASS: the lowest voice part, sung by men