Born: November 14, 1778, Pressburg (now Bratislava)Died: October 17, 1837, Weimar (age 58)
glossary
alla [I], all', à la [F]—to the, in the manner of
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
canon, kanon [G]—a strict form of polyphonic, contrapuntal imitation where a series of staggered parts share the same melodic material separated by time and possibly an interval creating both linear and horizontal counterpoint; a simple form of canon is a round (e.g. "Row, Row, Row your Boat")
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
introduzione—introduction
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.
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
suite—a set of instrumental pieces (movements) played together to create a larger whole. Suites tend towards collections of dances, frequently in the same key, preceded by a prelude, introduction or overture.
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
toccata [I]—from toccare, to touch: traditionally a virtuosic piece for keyboard, often a prelude to something such as a fugue