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CRASH COURSE
ON EXISTING MUSIC GENRES ::
DANCE & ELECTRONICA
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 OPERA
Opera is a dramatic work in
which the characters sing most or all of their roles. The singing of the text
greatly intensifies its expression and requires the singer to convey powerful
emotions. The orchestra plays an important role in opera, not only providing
accompaniment for the singers, but--like the score to a film--creating
atmosphere and intensifying the drama.
SOLO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Solo instrumental music
comes in many forms. One of the most significant is the sonata, a large,
multi-movement structure that became popular in the Classical period. Other
common forms include the theme and variations and the suite, a collection of
short, often dance-like pieces. There are many names for the short solo
composition (prelude, impromptu, and intermezzo, for example), works which
generally have a simple musical structure. The instruments most often heard in
solo concerts are the piano and the guitar because both are capable of playing
several notes simultaneously, so they can play both melody and harmony. No
accompanying instrument is necessary.
SYMPHONIC
The modern orchestra
originated in the early Baroque (around 1600) where orchestras of string players
(and sometimes, in particularly lavish circumstances, wind and brass players as
well) accompanied operas and other vocal works. The symphony was the primary
form for orchestral music in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. 20th
century composers have written for enormous orchestras of more than 100
instrumentalists. Many contemporary orchestral works use pianos, saxophones,
vibraphones, exotic percussion and even electronics in addition to the standard
core of instruments. Symphonic music is music written for a symphony orchestra.
The body of the modern orchestra was firmly established in the classical era.
Four families of instruments are represented -- the strings, woodwinds, brass,
and percussion. Most pieces written for orchestra are called symphonies, but the
overture and tone poem are major genres, too.
© Valerie
V. Mayuga, 2005
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