madrigals
Renaissance choral pieces
Madrigals are vocal compositions for several voices, typically unaccompanied, that flourished in Renaissance Europe.
The form involves intricate harmonies with voices weaving around each other: The choir performed Italian madrigals.
Madrigal singing persists as a classical tradition, often associated with holiday concerts and Renaissance fairs.
The singular is madrigal.
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- motetSacred polyphonic choral work
- consortRoyal spouse
- contrapuntalInterlocking independent melodies
lute · viol · pavane · chanson · frottola · tablature · recorder · shawm
Vocal music, no instruments
- unaccompaniedWithout others present
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- singersThose who vocalize melodies
- sopranoHighest female voice range
alto · tenor · bass · harmony · blend · intonation · phrasing · diction
Metered poetic passage
- stanzaPoem's line grouping
- lyricSong's text
- pastoralOf countryside or clergy care
- amorousFull of desire
Petrarch · Arcadian · nymph · shepherd · unrequited · beloved · longing · metaphor
Sounds producing speech
- partsIndividual elements of whole
- through-composedEntirely new throughout
- imitativeCopying others' style
- homophonicIdentical in pronunciation
texture · cadence · phrase · repetition · variation · structure · setting · arrangement
polyphony
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- motetSacred polyphonic choral work
- consortRoyal spouse
contrapuntal · lute · viol · pavane · chanson · frottola · tablature · recorder · shawm · cornett
acapella
Vocal music, no instruments
- unaccompaniedWithout others present
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- singersThose who vocalize melodies
soprano · alto · tenor · bass · harmony · blend · intonation · phrasing · diction · melisma
verse
Metered poetic passage
amorous · Petrarch · Arcadian · nymph · shepherd · unrequited · beloved · longing · metaphor · imagery
voices
Sounds producing speech
- partsIndividual elements of whole
- through-composedEntirely new throughout
- imitativeCopying others' style
homophonic · texture · cadence · phrase · repetition · variation · structure · setting · arrangement · score
entertainment
Agreeable diversion of attention
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
- salonGrooming establishment or gathering
- festivityCelebratory occasion or mood
merriment · diversion · recreation · convivial · aristocratic · patronage · courtiers · nobility · amateur · domestic
- songssong, songs, tune, folk ballads, melody
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- British MusicThe Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
- choiralto, soprano, tenor, bass section, baritone
- vocal musicsong, vocals, soprano, tenor, alto
- vocal songslieder, folk ballads, love songs, ballads, chansons
madrigalsorchestral works
Compositions for large ensembles
symphonies · instrumental music · concertos · tone poems · opera
madrigalsmotets
Sacred polyphonic compositions
masses · hymns · sacred choral music · requiems · psalms
madrigalsfolk songs
Inherited communal music
popular songs · work songs · nursery rhymes · drinking songs · ballads