Year 11 Revision

Choral Classical MusicTexture and Timbre

Key Words Choral Oratorio Overture Aria Recitative Chorus Orchestral Interlude Mass Fugue

Pedal

Requiem

Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Bass

Contrapuntal

Homophonic

Melody with Accompaniment

Can I...?

Understand how a classical choir is organised and recognise different vocal parts?

Recognise how the choir works with the orchestra in choral music?

Describe the three different textures you might hear in a choral work?

Give the names of 3 composers famous for writing choral classics?

How does the ensemble work?

A number of different combinations and relationships exist in different mvts of a choral work, eg:

Orchestra centre stage .......................? Orchestra accompany choir ................? Choir accompany soloist......................? Choir take main focus..........................?

Sopranos

Basses Tenors

Altos

Orchestra

How does the choir work? Through their interaction, the 4 vocal parts (soprano,

alto, tenor, bass) build up harmony and texture together.

Each part can sound disjointed on its own, and may have little musical interest by itself. The interest comes in the combination of parts.

Because of this, the relationship within the choir is as important as the relationship between choir, orchestra and soloist.

Every choir member reads a score which shows all four vocal parts plus a piano reduction of the orchestra.

The Hallelujah Chorus

A chorus from one of the most famous oratorios, The Messiah

Written in the Baroque era by Handel in 1741.

When it was 1st performed the king stood, so now everyone does.

Write a sentence about each of these sections:

a) 'Hallelujah'

b) 'For the Lord God...'

c) 'And he shall reign...'

d) 'King of Kings...'

Oratorio.......?* Large choral piece for vocal soloists, mixed choir and

orchestra. A large number of short, individual movements:

Overture (orchestral mvt that opens piece) Aria (mvt for soloist/s, usually accompanied by orch) Rectitative (short section driving plot forward, sung

by soloist, accomp'd by strings or continuo) Chorus – mvt for choir and orchestra Orchestral interlude – mvt just for orchestra

Similar to an opera – similar structure and forces but uses a religious text and doesn't need theatre.

*Knowing difference between oratorio and mass is not necessary for AQA

..........or Mass? Choral work based on Latin texts from

Catholic communion service. Contains choruses, solos and instrumental

interludes Usually 6 mvts (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus,

Benedictus and Agnus Dei). Requiem mass is a 'Mass for the Dead'.

Leaves out joyful mvts and brings in 'Dies Irae' ('Day of Wrath') which can be incredibly dramatic (eg Verdi and Mozart).

*Knowing difference between oratorio and mass is not necessary for AQA

The Three Textures in Choral music...

1) Contrapuntal

2) Homophonic

3) Melody with Accompaniment

All the parts (melody and harmony) move with similar rhythm, creating chordal effect.

2 or more melodic lines, each equally important, play together at the same time.

A melody line with an accompanying part

Listen to three extracts and match the texture and its definition with the music

Listening Examples

Mozart Dies Irae (homophonic)

Mozart Kyrie (contrapuntal)

Mozart Lacrymoza (melody and accompaniment)

Handel There were shepherds (recitative leading to aria)

Verdi Dies Irae (romantic era – homophonic with soprano pedal)