Prelude 3: Music as Exploration and Drama
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following characterizes music after 1600?
a. Music performers developed virtuosic skills.
b. Opera was developed.
c. Musicians explored intense emotions.
d. all of the answers shown here
2. The approximate dates of the Baroque period are:
a. 1600–1750. c. 1550–1600.
b. 1700–1800. d. 1800–1900.
3. Which of the following characterizes the Baroque era?
a. an age of reason c. an era of absolute monarchy
b. an era of intense religion d. all of the answers shown here
4. Which Baroque era individual is known for mathematics?
a. Newton c. Descartes
b. Galileo d. Copernicus
5. Which of the following best describes Bernini’s sculpture of David?
a. calm and reflective c. dramatic and active
b. static and poised d. all of the answers shown here
6. The Baroque period witnessed a shift in musical texture to:
a. monophony. c. homophony.
b. polyphony. d. heterophony.
7. The group of early Baroque writers, artists, and musicians whose aim was to resurrect the musical
drama of ancient Greece was known as:
a. the Italian madrigalists. c. the Freemasons.
b. the Florentine Camerata. d. the Notre Dame school.
8. The ideas and music of the Florentine Camerata led directly to the development of:
a. opera. c. the symphony.
b. the Mass. d. the concerto.
9. What is figured bass?
a. a bass line with a repeating pattern
b. a string bass with decorations on the scroll
c. a new kind of notation
d. a bass line that is part of a canon
10. Basso continuo led to one of the most significant changes in music history, which was:
a. the establishment of major-minor tonality.
b. the use of church modes in opera.
c. a dramatic shift in dynamics from one level to another.
d. the use of polyphony in opera.
11. The artificially created male soprano or alto voice that dominated opera was known as:
a. the castrato. c. the Camerata.
b. the contralto. d. the continuo.
12. The Baroque performance practice in which musicians embellished melodies was called:
a. improvisation. c. continuous melody.
b. ritornello. d. driving rhythm.
13. Which of the following national styles influenced the Baroque style?
a. German polyphony c. English choral song
b. French dance rhythms d. all of the answers shown here
14. Women’s roles in Baroque music:
a. diminished in importance in comparison to the Renaissance.
b. expanded into professional performance careers, including as opera singers.
c. remained largely the same as in the Renaissance.
d. totally dominated the musical scene.
15. Which Baroque era individual is known for physics?
a. Copernicus c. Spinoza
b. Descartes d. Galileo
TRUE/FALSE
1. The term baroque originally meant serenity and balance.
2. The Baroque era was an age of political freedom and democracy.
3. Amateur music-making at home was popular during the Baroque era.
4. Religion remained a driving force behind power struggles in the Baroque era.
5. The transition from Renaissance to Baroque was characterized by the change from polyphonic to
homophonic texture in music.
6. One of the most significant changes in music history occurred during the Baroque era: the
transition from medieval church modes to major-minor tonality.
7. Baroque music often features a steady, vigorous beat throughout.
8. Baroque composers used dissonance for emotional intensity and color.
9. Dramatic contrasts of forte and piano are typical of the Baroque era.
10. During the Baroque era, some boy singers were castrated to preserve the high register of their
voices, allowing them to sing high-pitched operatic roles.
11. Improvisation played little or no part in Baroque musical practice.
12. Exoticism can be detected in a number of Baroque operas.
13. During the Baroque era, women began entering the ranks of professional musicians, both as
composers and as performers.
14. Barbara Strozzi was an international sensation as an opera singer.
ESSAY
1. Describe the major achievements in art, literature, and science during the Baroque period.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 90–92
TOP: Baroque Era MSC: Conceptual
2. Discuss the main currents of early Baroque musical style.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 92–94
TOP: Baroque Music MSC: Conceptual