Discovering Classical Music: Sibelius

Ian Christians

• Publisher: White Owl
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN: 9781473888418
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Classical Music

"I recommend this book wholeheartedly to new music lovers" Sir Charles Groves CBE Thanks to Nigel Kennedy and Pavarotti, millions of people have recently discovered that classical music is a highly enjoyable experience, perhaps contrary to their expectations. But the world of classical music can be highly intimidating and confusing. Ian Christians, for many years a passionate believer in broadening the interest in classical music, has developed a unique approach, designed to make it as easy as possible for both newcomers to classical music and those who have started down the path to explore with confidence. Discovering Classical Music concentrates on the greatest composers. The author takes you step-by-step into their most approachable music and, in some cases, boldly into some of the greatest works traditionally considered too difficult for newcomers. Rarely does a book offer such potential for continued enjoyment.This volume concentrates on the life, personality and music of Edward William Elgar.

APPENDIX 1

THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Usual formation

 

Instruments of the Orchestra
Standard/ Occasional

APPENDIX 2

GLOSSARY OF MUSICAL TERMS

adagio Slow tempo.

Agnus Dei Last section of the Mass, ‘Lamb of God’.

allegretto Quite fast

allegro Fast.

alto Low female voice.

andante At walking tempo.

aria Song.

baritone Male voice between tenor and bass.

baroque Elaborate music of period 1600-1750.

bass Lowest male voice.

Benedictus Section of the Mass, ‘Blessed is he that cometh’

brass Term covering trumpet, trombone and tuba families of instruments.

cadenza Solo instrumental section of a movement.

canon Music where a theme is repeated to create overlapping between voices or instruments.

cantabile Singing style.

cantata Choral work, usually with orchestra.

chamber music Music of a scale to be performable in a room.

chamber orchestra Small orchestra.

chorale Traditional German hymn style.

classical Describes era and formal style of composition predominant in the last half of the 18th century.

clavier Early keyboard instrument.

coda Ending.

concerto Work for solo instrument(s) and orchestra, usually in three movements.

continuo. Accompaniment, usually on a keyboard instrument and using the bass-line.

contralto Lower female voice.

cor anglais Woodwind instrument, lower range than the oboe.

crescendo Increasingly loud.

Credo Third section of the Mass, ‘I believe in one God.’

cycle Set of works to be performed together.

development Section of a movement (middle) where themes are transformed.

Dies Irae Section of Requiem Mass, ‘the Day of Wrath’.

diminuendo Increasingly soft.

divertimento Light-hearted work for small number of players.

dolce Sweetly.

Dona nobis pacem Section of the Mass, ‘Give us peace’.

Dorian mode Scale on white piano keys from D.

duet Combination of two performers.

ensemble A small group of performers or an operatic piece for several performers.

forte Loud.

fortissimo Very loud

forte-piano Early Italian name for the pianoforte (piano).

fugue Work where a number of parts follow each other at regular intervals in the same theme.

furiant Fast Czech dance.

Gloria Second section of the Mass, ‘Glory to God on high’.

grave Slow.

impromptu Small work implying improvisation.

improvise/extemporise Play spontaneously.

Jubilate Psalm that opens ‘O be joyful’.

Kapellmeister Musical director, originally master of the chapel- music.

Kyrie Opening section of the Mass, ‘Lord have mercy’.

landler Austrian dance, like a slow waltz.

largo Slow.

libretto Text for an opera.

maestoso Majestic.

Mass Catholic religious service set to music, consisting usually of the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.

metronome Mechanical and adjustable device for setting tempo.

minuet Dance in triple time used mainly in the 18th century.

moderato Moderate speed.

molto Very.

motet Short religious choral work.

motto Recurring theme.

movement Main and separate part of many types of composition, including the symphony, sonata, concerto.

octet Eight performers, or a work for eight performers.

opera Stage work with words which are sung to orchestral accompaniment.

opus A specific work.

orchestra A significant group of different instrumentalists, usually with a traditional mix between them.

orchestration The process of translating themes into the desired parts for each orchestral instrument.

overture Introductory orchestral piece for an opera, occasionally just a short orchestral work.

partita Set of variations.

Passion Musical setting of the story of the Crucifixion, traditionally performed at Easter.

piano Softly.

pianissimo Very softly.

pizzicato Plucked (strings).

postlude Ending piece.

prelude Opening piece.

presto Very fast.

quartet Four performers, or a work for four pe...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Foreword
• The Author
• Contents
• Introduction
• The Composers are the Stars
• The ‘Classical Conspiracy’ Cracked?
• Classical Music –Economics Confounded–
• Sibelius
• Buying recordings of classical music
• Appendix 1 The orchestra
• Appendix 2 Glossary of musical terms
• Titles Available in this Series