Born: January 2, 1905, LondonDied: January 8, 1998, London (age 93)
glossary
allegretto—moderately quick tempo. slower than allegro but faster than andante
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
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
dialogo [I], dialogue [F,E], dialogisch [G]—dialogue, conversation, discussion, e.g. a musical setting featuring a balanced, two-part exchange
duo, duet, dueto [S], duetto [I], duett [G]—a work for two instruments; the ensemble itself
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
energico, con energia, énergique [F], avec énergie [F], energisch [G]—with energy, force, vigor and power
lento, lent [F], lentement [F], avec lenteur [F]—slow (tempo)
marcia [I], alla marcia, marche [F], Marsch [G], march [E], marciale, marziale—march, in the manner of a march, e.g. duple meter at a moderate but deliberate pace in a manner which may be proud, grand, like a parade or a show of military bravado.
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
perpetuum mobile, moto perpetuo, perpetual motion—music that progresses with a steady stream of pulses, typically with a fast tempo and a feeling of breathless, endless motion
pizzicato—plucked (with the fingers) rather than bowed
presto—very fast, more so than allegro.
scherzo—lively, brisk, typically in a triple meter; usually a three-part form with central, contrasting trio
sonata, sonate, suonato—a complicated term. Originally, "sounded" rather than "sung" (sonar vs. cantar), e.g. instrumental music. According to historical period, sonata began to imply a formal plan of movements as well as the structure within a single movement, e.g. sonata form. In general usage as a work title, it designates a multi-movement piece for solo or duo instruments with one of the instruments enjoying a feature role.