Born: November 14, 1778, Pressburg (now Bratislava)Died: October 17, 1837, Weimar (age 58)
glossary
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
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
espressivo [It], con espressione, expressif [Fr]—expressive, with expression.with feeling
intermezzo, intermedio [S], intermède [F], interlude, Entr'acte—music that is "inserted" (or "interpolated) between two musical entities of greater importance (e.g. movements, acts, verses, etc.). Often suggests music of a lighter character, entertaining contrast or even improvisation.
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.
minuet, menuet [F], Menuett [G], menuetto [I], minuetto [I]—A graceful, courtly French dance of the Baroque and Classical period with a triple meter and a moderate tempo.It was introduced at the court of Louis XIV. In classical forms such as the symphony or chamber music, the minuet evolved into the more vigorous scherzo.
molto [It]—very much
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 trio, Klaviertrio [G], Trio avec piano [F]—an ensemble comprising violin, cello and piano.Second only to the string quartet as an essential genre, form and ensemble of chamber music
poco, un poco, poco a poco—a little bit, e.g. "andante un poco moto" is andante with a little more motion than typical. "poco a poco" means a little bit at a time, gradually.
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
tarantella [I], tarantelle [F]—Southern Italian dance in a rapid 6/8 meter named for the town of Taranto and/or the tarantula spider whose bite would provoke the frenzied dance as a response or cure
tempo, tempi [pl]—speed or pace at which music progresses. Traditional classic music typically uses standard Italian words to designate the tempo, e.g. Allegro or adagio. Metronome markings provide precise numerical speeds. Tempo selection during performance is a complex artistic choice informed by composer's markings, performance tradition, technical limitations and interpretation.
trio (1)—an ensemble or work for 3 players
troppo [I], non troppo, trop [F]—too, too much. non troppo means "not too much". e.g. "Allegro ma non troppo" means fast, but not too much