Do you have a curiosity about classical music, or need to brush-up for your next music trivia night? You can enhance your music listening experience with a few terms and a bit of history.
Enjoy the information on this page as they relate to our programs. Check back from time to time for added materials!
ABC's of Musical Terms
Allegro – Italian for cheerful or lively, interpreted in music as rather fast. Indications of tempo can be used as general titles for pieces of music, usually within larger works. The first movement of a sonata, for example, is often an “Allegro”.
Classical – In music, the general meaning of the term denotes fine or serious music. More specifically, it refers to music from about 1750 to 1830: the age of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. The concept of “classical” or “ancient music” emerged with the implication it was still built upon the principles of formality and excellence.
Concerto – instrumental music that contrasts a solo instrument or a small group of solo instruments with the main body of the orchestra, usually a piece in three movements.
Overture – The instrumental music that opens a performance such as opera or ballet. While early overtures were meant to call attention that the performance was about to start and had little relevance to what followed, later composers tended to relate the overture to the following work, thematically or in mood.
Requiem – The Catholic Mass for the Dead opens with the words “Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine” (“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord”), leading to the use of the word Requiem to denote a Mass for the Dead.
Sonata – The term comes from Italian “sonare” (to sound) and implies instrumental rather than sung music. It came to use in the mid 1700’s and, while there is no single model, it is generally agreed that the form consists of three main sections: an exposition, a development, and a recapitulation. Originally referring to a melodic instrument with accompaniment, the 1800’s brought greater freedom in form and became more specific to solo keyboard music.
Symphony – Originally indicating an instrumental section or composition, the symphony came to be the principal serious orchestral form of the later 18th century and thereafter. In the late 17th and early 18th century, it evolved as a three-movement overture to opera. The Classical symphony of Haydn and Mozart is generally in four movements, opening with a sonata-form allegro, followed by a slow movement, a minuet and trio, and a rondo finale. With Beethoven, the symphony grew in size and ambition. In the 19th century and into the 20th century the symphony, remained the most respected and demanding form that a composer might tackle. A symphony may loosely be defined as an orchestral composition generally in several movements.
The History of Applause
Ancient Times: Clapping was formalized during the Roman Empire when theatre and politics merged, when it became one of the chief methods politicians used to evaluate their standing with the as they entered the arena.
1700’s: Music audiences were rowdy and would clap, talk, and shout during performances.
Composers like Mozart expected audiences to talk, especially during dinner. Mozart enjoyed spontaneous applause and would sometimes play movements again if well-received. The claque, or group of paid applauders to clap at the right time, was a common feature in theaters in France and later other countries.
Mid 1800’s: The tradition of not applauding between movements began in Germany.
Richard Wagner extended the idea that classical music was sacred and deserved reverence.
Late 1800’s: Composers like Mahler, Schumann, and Mendelssohn requested in their scores that their works be performed without breaks between movements. This was done to avoid applause and to create a reverential atmosphere.
Modern etiquette:
Most commonly, applause is encouraged at the very end of a piece after all movements. This indicates that the piece is finished. Some conductors ask the audience not to applaud at the end of a piece if it has serious themes. Some conductors encourage new audiences’ passion for this music and welcome joyful outbursts!
Bottom line: Take the cue from the conductor. When he or she turns to the audience at the end of the piece, or throws a glance and knowing smile between movements, it is permisison for applause.