Born: April 27, 1891, Sontsovka, UkraineDied: March 5, 1953, Moscow (age 61)
glossary
alla [I], all', à la [F]—to the, in the manner of
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
appassionato, passionato, passionné [F], avec passion, passionnément—passionate; ardent
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
elegy, elégie [F], elegie [G], elegisch, elegiaco, elegaico [I], élégiaque [F], elegia—a plaintive, mournful poem, more specifically a lament for the dead. Usually implies a slow tempo, a minor key and a dark poignancy with potential spikes of tragic agony or, just as well, a gentle, bright flowering into nostalgic love of great tenderness. A musical narrative combining all of these moods is a hauntingly faithful representation of grief
opus [L], opera[pl], Op., Opp, WoO, Op. posth—work, as in a work of art. For unique identification, publishers/composers often assign an "opus number", abbreviated as "Op." (e.g. Op. 1). A range of works by opus number, uses the plural "opp." (e.g. "Opp. 1-3"). A single opus number may refer to a collection of works (e.g. a set of quartets) giving rise to designations like "Op. 1, No. 4". For misc. works without opus numbers, "WoO" is often used (e.g."Without Opus"). Posthumously assigned numbers may use "Op. posth". Opus numbers may not precisely reflect chronology (publication vs. composition), can be erroneous, sparse or duplicative. Thus, the works of some historically important composers may use separate catalog numbers (e.g. Bach, Haydn, Schubert). See wiki
piano quartet, Klavierquartett [G], Quatuor avec piano [F]—An ensemble (or work) comprising violin, viola, cello, and piano. Most of the great Classical and Romantic composers produced one or more works for this combination, many of which are masterworks. Explore the piano quartet | wiki
presto—very fast, more so than allegro.
quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
serenade, serenada, serenata [I], sérénade [F]—A suite of movements like a divertimento with similar connotations of lightheartedness, pleasure and relative calm with an emphasis on lyricism and often beginning with a march. Historically evokes the evening, outdoors, an honorific or amorous tribute, especially from a suitor to a lover in a window or balcony. The word serenade has its Latin origins the Latin word for "calm" or serene. wiki