| alliteration | a literary device involving the repetition of initial sounds in successive or closely associated words or syllables
|
 |
|
|
| aquatint | a type of print produced by an engraving method similar to etching but involving finely granulated tonal area rather than line alone
|
|
|
|
| arabesque | in the visual arts, a type of linear ornamentation featuring plant and flower forms; in ballet, a position in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended behind and one or both arms held to create the longest line possible from one extremity of the body to the other
|
|
|
|
| arpeggio | the sounding of the notes of a chord in rapid succession
|
|
|
|
| assonance | a literary device involving similarity in sound between vowels followed by different consonants
|
|
|
|
| dialectic | in Hegelian philosophy, the process by which every condition (or "thesis") confronts an opposite condition (or "antithesis") to resolve in synthesis
|
|
|
|
| dynamics (music) | the degree of loudness or softness in music
|
|
|
|
| étude | (French, "study") an instrumental study designed to improve a player's performance technique
|
|
|
|
| free verse | poetry that is based on irregular rhythmic patterns rather then on the conventional and regular use of meter
|
|
|
|
| idée fixe | (French, "fixed idea") a term used by Berlioz for a recurring theme in his symphonic works
|
|
|
|
| impromptu | (French, "improvised") a short keyboard composition that sounds as if it is improvised
|
|
|
|
| leitmotif | (German, "leading motif") a short musical theme that designates a person, object, place, or idea and that reappears throughout a musical composition
|
|
|
|
| lied | (German, "song," pl. lieder) an independent song for solo voice and piano; also known as "art song"
|
|
|
|
| music-drama | a unique synthesis of sound and story in which both are developed simultaneously and continuously; a term used to describe Wagner's later operas
|
|
|
|
| nocturne | a slow, songlike piece, usually written for piano; the melody is played by the right hand, and a steady, soft accompaniment is played by the left
|
|
|
|
| ode | a lyric poem expressing exalted emotion in honor of a person or special occasion
|
|
|
|
| opus | (Latin, "work") a musical composition; followed by a number, it designates either the chronological place of a musical composition in the composer's total output or the order of its publication; often abbreviated "op."
|
|
|
|
| prima ballerina | the first, or leading, female dancer in a ballet company
|
|
|
|
| program music | instrumental music endowed with specific literary or pictorial content that is indicated by the composer
|
|
|
|
| scherzo | (Italian, "joke") a swift, light movement, commonly in triple time; established by Beethoven as an alternative to the minuet
|
|
|
|
| virtuoso | one who exhibits great technical ability, especially in musical performance; also used to describe a musical composition demanding (or a performance demonstrating) great technical skill
|