Born: November 13, 1854, Lowell, MADied: April 4, 1931, Boston, MA (age 76)
glossary
andantino—faster than andante, slower than allegretto. Sometimes andantino is interpreted as the opposite: slower than andante
capriccio, caprice, capriccioso, capricieux, capricieuse—a short character piece, typically in a humorous, fanciful, or playful manner. The concept juxtaposes the improvisatory free-form fantasy against the more formal, "serious" and logically "worked-out" sonata forms.Within a caprice, the range of expression may well include the serious and dark as well as demanding extraordinary technical skills such as a prelude or etude.
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]—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
grazioso [I], con grazia, gratioso, graziös [G], Mit Grazie—graceful, gracefully; easy
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
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
sarabande, saraband, sarabanda—A Spanish Renaissance / Baroque dance in triple meter. In France and Germany, it tended to be slow and stately.
semplice [I], con semplicità—simple, unaffected
sextet, sextour [F], sestetto [I]—six. Ensemble (or work) for six players.
string quartet, Streichquartett [G], quatuor à cordes [F], quartetto d'archi [I], quartetto di cordi [I], cuarteto de cuerda [S]—an ensemble as well as music written for that ensemble comprising 2 violins, viola and cello. This is one of the essential genres / forms / ensembles of chamber music and arguably a critical "core" of "classical" music. Explore the string quartet.