Multilingual Music Glossary
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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
- frequency Rate of vibration of a string or column of air, which determines pitch. Usually measured in Hertz (Hz).
- expression The blend of feeling and intellect brought to a performance by the performer.
- fiddle A name for the violin, especially when used to perform folk music.
- polyharmony Two or more streams of harmony played against each other; common in twentieth century music.
- transverse flute The regular orchestral flute, as distinct from the recorder.
- subito
At once, immediately. - soave
Soft, sweet, gentle. - technique The mechanical aspect of performing a composition.
- recitativo secco
Recitative accompanied only by continuo. - vif
A tempo directive meaning “lively”. - Schleppend
Dragging. - castrato Male singer who was castrated during boyhood to preserve the soprano or alto vocal register, prominent in seventeenth and early eighteenth century opera.
- ionian In the system of modes, the ionian mode is the one based on C; therefore, it is the modern major scale.
- partita
In the 18th and 19th century, a multi-movement composition consisting of dances and non-dance movements or entirely of non-dance movements. - galante
Gallant, courtly, elegant.