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

  • answer Second entry of the subject in a fugue, usually pitched a fourth below or a fifth above the original subject. If the theme is altered slightly in the answer, then it is said to be a tonal answer, if it is entirely unaltered, it is said to be a real answer.
  • quintus [Latin] Term used in the 16th century for the fifth voice in a composition having five or more vocal parts. Sometimes it was a countermelody added on top of the usual four voices.
  • Generalpause [German] Rest or pause for all performers.
  • duet A composition for two performers.
  • raddolcendo [Italian] Growing sweeter and calmer.
  • outer voices The highest and the lowest voices in a polyphonic composition.
  • attacca [Italian] A musical directive for the performer to begin the next section of a composition immediately and without pause.
  • verse anthem Anglican devotional composition for solo voices with a choral refrain.
  • envoi [French] A short final stanza of a ballade which serves as a summary or dedication.
  • arioso [Italian] A short, melodious composition in the style of an aria.
  • di molto [Italian] “By much”.
  • blues African-American music genre, characterized by simple repetitive structures and by the use of the blues chord progressions and the blue notes.
  • troppo [Italian] Too much.
  • mezzo-soprano [Italian] The female voice between soprano and contralto.
  • affannato [Italian] Anguished.