Chapter 5 Quiz 1

. Did the cantata borrow any elements from opera?

No, other than the use of solo vocalists.

Yes, the use of intermezzi or short miniature comedies performed between larger sections.

Yes, both recitatives and arias.

Yes, recitatives.

. Consider the statement and choose the best reaction: "The strophic form of Protestant chorales made them easy to learn."

The statement is false because "strophic" means constantly changing melodies.

The statement is true about hymns but not about chorales.

The statement is true.

The statement is true of some hymns but irrelevant for most, as they only had one verse.

. Which job did J. S. Bach NOT have during his career?

Church organist in Arnstadt

Court organist in Weimar

Court composer in Brandenburg

Music director at Cöthen

. Which of the following statements about the Baroque "ritornello" is true?

It functioned as a sort of "musical punctuation" between longer sections of music.

It usually included both vocalists and orchestra.

It is an instrumental version of an "aria," inserted into operas and cantatas after recitatives.

It is an Italian version of the Lutheran chorale.

. Most Protestant hymns of Luther's day were accompanied by what instrument or group of instruments?

The organ

The string quartet

Piano and harp

None, Protestant hymns were strictly a cappella at this time.

. Which of the following descriptions of Bach's Cantata 140 is accurate?

Throughout the piece, the harpsichord is featured as a solo instrument.

Unlike many of his other pieces, Bach does not use the "ritornello" compositional device in this cantata.

The first, fifth, ninth, and thirteenth movements are simple homophonic stanzas of the chorale tune.

The first movement's structure features a repeating section before a second, contrasting section.

. What statement about J. S. Bach's career is accurate?

He composed about 395 cantatas as part of his position as a church musician.

The position at Leipzig was ideal because he was able to focus strictly on composition, rather than performance or teaching.

He worked in a number of locales throughout the German states, the last and most prestigious of which was Leipzig.

He was expected to produce new cantatas each month of the church year.

. Which statement about the cantata genre is true?

They were strictly written for sacred purposes until well into the Classical era.

Most cantatas were written to be performed by soloists, chorus, and a keyboard instrument.

The cantata developed as a form of musical worship in Lutheran countries.

The cantata is an extended form that, unlike most longer forms, only occurs in one movement.

. What did Bach's three lesser-known composer sons-Wilhelm Friedemann, Johann Christian, and Johann Christoph Friedrich-all have in common?

All three were particularly known for composing opera.

All three were skilled players of keyboard instruments.

All three lived and worked in various Germanic cities throughout their careers.

All three are considered bridges between the styles of the Baroque and Classical eras.

. Which two forms of sacred music are paired correctly?

The cantata draws from and builds upon the tradition of plainchant.

Hymns were originally designed as part of the ordinary of the mass.

"Gospel" songs often draw textually and musically from hymns.

Cantatas were based on the older style of gospel songs.

. For what purpose did J. S. Bach NOT compose secular cantatas?

To mock the popularity of coffee, which was new in Europe at the time.

To celebrate the peace treaty between Luther and the pope

To perform at civic functions in Leipzig

To celebrate elections in Mühlhausen

. For what are Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri famous?

Composing cantatas

Building organs

Making violins

Developing mass printing techniques for scores

. Which of the following was NOT typically included in the performing ensemble of a cantata?

Small orchestra

String quartet

Choir

Soloists

. What is the most important element of sacred music of any kind?

The text

The melody

The rhythm

The harmony

. What frequently used stylistic trait of the cantata can be seen in the 8th movement of Bach's Cantata no. 80?

Like most cantatas, it was originally written in English due to the influence of Henry VIII.

It is based on a famous Lutheran hymn.

It is written with a volatile and unpredictable rhythmic style to catch the attention of the worshippers.

The melody moves through all four voices equally.

Chapter 5 Quiz 1

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