Born: November 22, 1710, WeimarDied: July 1, 1784, Berlin (age 73)
glossary
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
assai—very much. Intensifies the direction of its neighboring words, e.g. "allegro assai", very fast
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
duo, duet, dueto [S], duetto [I], duett [G]—a work for two instruments; the ensemble itself
larghetto—slow, but a bit faster than largo
moderato [I], moderamente, modéré [F], modérément [F]—moderately, at a moderate tempo, applying a touch of restraint to its related word(s), e.g. allegro moderato
obbligato [I], obligé [F]—required, necessary, indispensable, obligatory. For instrumentation, the part is required (vs. ad libitum). When associated with Baroque continuo parts, it requires a specific instrument. When used with a keyboard part (e.g. Bach), it may imply a literal, thoroughly written out part vs. the more usual "improvised" (e.g. realized) continuo part at the discretion of the performer.
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.