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

  • lament A song of mourning the dead or of leave-taking. The funeral lament is one of the most common, dating back to antiquity.
  • cassation Classical instrumental genre related to the serenade or divertimento, often performed outdoors.
  • sextet A piece for six singers or instrumentalists. Also, a group of such musicians.
  • madrigal choir Small vocal ensemble that specializes in a cappella secular works.
  • dal segno [Italian] A directive to go back to a specific place of a composition, marked by a sign.
  • stanchezza [Italian] Weariness.
  • tempestoso [Italian] Stormy.
  • passamezzo [Italian] A 16th and 17th century Italian dance similar to or identical to the pavane.
  • chanson [French] French polyphonic song of the Middle Ages and Renaissance set to either courtly or popular poetry.
  • Minnesang [German] A tradition of Medieval courtly and secular music in Germany, cultivated by the nobility. The main focus of the music of this tradition was the idea of Minnedienst, servitude to love, often illustrated as the devoted knight entirely loyal to an unattainable lady with no hope of her love in return.
  • mesto [Italian] Sad.
  • MIDI Acronym for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”; technology standard that allows networking of computers with electronic musical instruments.
  • einschlafen [German] Literally, “falling asleep”. A directive to slacken the time and diminish the tempo and the tone.
  • A440 The standard tuning of the A above middle C at 440 Hz.
  • overture An introductory movement, as in an opera or oratorio, often presenting melodies from arias to come. Also an orchestral work for concert performance.