Born: December 3, 1896, RadoryżDied: August 27, 1979, Katowice (age 82)
glossary
bagatelle—a short character piece, typically of a light nature. Meaning "trifle" or "nothing of importance." Used for a variety of short pieces.
burlesque, burlesk, burleska, burletta, burla (alla), burlesca, burlando—a number of closely related words suggesting light play, comedy, jesting, mocking, satire and farce
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
fantasia, fantasy, fantazy, fantazia, phantasy, phantasie, fancy, fantasie [G], fantaisie [F] —generally, a piece of music favoring a free flight of expression over strict adherence to formal rules; suggesting an improvisational character. However, there are at least two more specific historical meanings: 1) the fantasia/fantasie/fancy of English Renaissance viol consort music and 2) Cobbett's Phantasie, an early 20th century form of single-movement chamber music inspired by the Renaissance fancy with the goal of stimulating new English chamber or "consort" music.
melancolia, con melancolia, Maliconia, con maliconia, maliconico, melancolique [F]—melancholy, gloomy
nocturne [F], notturno [I], nocturno, Nachtstück [G]—Night music. A romantic character piece depicting moods of the evening or night: quiet, reflective, perhaps romance and melancholy or even restlessness and fantasy. The most famous nocturnes come originally from the piano literature, e.g. John Field and Chopin, et. al.
overture, ouvertura, ouverture—an introduction, typically in a multi-movement work such as a suite. May introduce or summarize themes to come in subsequent movements.
quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
romanza, romanze, romance—a title for a work or movement implying a rather personal, tender, sentimental or amorous tone. Typically, lyrical.
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.
tango—Argentine dance and musical genre/style with characteristic syncopated rhythms, dramatic intensity and classically featuring the bandoneon for its distinctive timbre wiki.