Advanced Music Theory: Understanding Structure and Techniques

In Baroque music, figured bass is a numerical shorthand used to indicate what chords the keyboard player should play over a given bass note. It was commonly used during this period to improvise accompaniment.

In Baroque music, the accompaniment of virtually all pieces by a harpsichord, organ, or lute along with a bass instrument such as a cello or bassoon is known as 'basso continuo'. This harmonic support provided a foundation for the music and allowed for improvised embellishments.

In an opera, an aria is a solo song typically used to express the emotions and thoughts of the character. An overture is an instrumental introduction to the opera, a duet involves two performers singing together, and a chorus involves a group of singers performing together.

A string quartet consists of 2 violins, one viola, and one cello. It is a popular chamber music ensemble perfected by composers like Haydn.

The term 'obbligato' in music refers to a continuous instrumental solo part that is an integral component of the overall musical composition, typically accompanying an aria in a cantata or oratorio.

In concerto grossos, the ritornello is the term used to describe the technique of tutti playing alternating with solo playing. A cadenza is a virtuosic solo passage in a piece of music. Adagio refers to a slow tempo in music, and allegro is a fast tempo.

In opera, recitative is a style of delivery in which a singer is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech. It is used to advance the plot and provide context between the more melodic arias and chorus solos.

In music, fugue is considered the highest form of imitative polyphony due to its complex structure and strict rules governing thematic development.

Johann Sebastian Bach is well-known for his cantatas, which are musical compositions for voice and instruments, often performed as part of a church service. Sonatas, symphonies, and concertos are different types of musical compositions that Bach also wrote, but they do not specifically refer to the Sunday service pieces mentioned in the question.

An oratorio is a musical genre that features a narrative plot, acts, real characters, and implied action, similar to an opera but without staging. Cantata is a vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment, often religious in nature. Requiem is a musical composition for the dead. Sonata is a composition for an instrumental soloist or small ensemble.

The Latin term opus, abbreviated op., translates to 'work' in English. Although composition, piece, and creation are related terms, they do not directly correspond to the specific meaning of opus in Latin.

Archangelo Corelli is credited with pioneering the trio sonata form that became popular in the early Baroque period. Although other composers like Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel made significant contributions to Baroque music, Corelli is specifically known for developing the trio sonata.

Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven are collectively known as the Viennese School because of their significant contributions to classical music in Vienna during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.