Multilingual Music Glossary

# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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We are currently providing explanations for 2484 terms from 12 languages, including English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Latin…

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Some random terms

  • program music Music intended to evoke extra-musical ideas, images in the mind of the listener by musically representing a scene, image or mood. By contrast, absolute music stands for itself and is intended to be appreciated without any particular reference to the outside world.
  • rinforzando [Italian] Literally, “reinforcing”. Dynamic marking indicating that several notes, or a short phrase, are to be emphasized.
  • reduction A simplified arrangement of a composition.
  • sans [French] “Without”.
  • cantio [Latin] A religious, monophonic, Latin song of the later Middle Ages.
  • non troppo [Italian] Not too much.
  • imitation Compositional technique in which a melodic idea is presented in one voice (or part), then restated in another while the first voice continues with new material.
  • concertmaster The term used to address the principal first violinist of an orchestra.
  • double [French] During the Baroque period, a repetition or variation of an air or a dance that adds extra notes and/or ornaments.
  • serioso [Italian] Serious, grave.
  • frottola [Italian] A secular song that was popular in Italy in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, direct predecessor of the madrigal.
  • Stimmung [German] Mood. Also, tuning.
  • cantor [Latin] Solo singer or singing leader in Jewish and Christian liturgical music.
  • signature Key signature or time signature.
  • Abendmusik [German] Evening music, usually religious in nature, originating in the 17th century.