Texture/Structure/Form

• Basso Continuo


  Continuous Bass
• Concerto Grosso


  Small group of instrumentalists with a large one.
• Ritornello


  Returning theme. A main theme is played at the start of a piece and returns throughout other sections. A-B-A-C-A structure.
• Passacaglia


  Variations over a ground bass going round.
• Da Capo Aria


  Ternary form (A-B-A). To keep the repeat interesting, the singer is expected to add ornamentation.
• Sonata Form


  Exposition, Development, Recapitulation (Exposition is heard again).
• Exposition


  The first section of music in Sonata form during which the musical material is 'exposed' to the listener.
• Through-Composed


  Music changes throughout every section.