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

  • gigue [French] A lively baroque dance in compound meter originating from the British jig, imported into France in the mid-17th century. It usually appears at the end of a suite.
  • con furia [Italian] “With fury”.
  • canticle A sacred hymn or song.
  • concertante [Italian] A part that calls for some element of solo performance, as in a classical concerto.
  • oratorio [Italian] Large-scale dramatic genre originating in the Baroque, based on a text of religious or serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes or action.
  • forte [Italian] “Loud”.
  • ripieno [Italian] The larger of the two ensembles in the concerto grosso.
  • haut [French] Literally, “high”. Medieval category of loud instruments, used principally for outdoor occasions.
  • poco [Italian] “Not very”, “not much”.
  • tremolo [Italian] A rapid alternation between two notes.
  • arioso [Italian] A short, melodious composition in the style of an aria.
  • sheet music A generic term to mean any piece of paper with the notation of a composition printed on on it.
  • cantoris [Latin] Literally, “of the cantor”. In Anglican church music, referring to the half of the choir sitting on the cantor's side of the church.
  • reprise [French] Repetition.
  • opéra comique [French] French comic opera that is not necessarily sung throughout.