Multilingual Music Glossary

# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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We are currently providing explanations for 2484 terms from 12 languages, including English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Latin…

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Some random terms

  • répertoire [French] A list of compositions that an individual or ensemble is prepared to perform or that are available for performance.
  • harmonic Any integer multiple of the fundamental frequency of a tone. The fundamental frequency is considered to be the first harmonic; doubling its frequency you obtain the second harmonic, tripling it you obtain the third harmonic, and so on.
  • calcando [Italian] Stressing, emphasizing.
  • secular Nonreligious.
  • Cecilia [Italian] Saint honored as the patroness of music.
  • ober [German] Upper, higher.
  • sonata da chiesa [Italian] A baroque instrumental work intended for performance in a church, generally in four movements, arranged slow, fast, slow, fast.
  • basse dance [French] A graceful, stately court dance of the early Renaissance.
  • détaché [French] Not slurred.
  • villanella [Italian] A Renaissance polyphonic vocal form, usually with a simple tune in the top voice, and somewhat homophonic, regular rhythms in the lower voices.
  • fortississimo [Italian] Extremely loud, louder than fortissimo.
  • theme group Several themes in the same key that function as a unit within a section of a form, particularly in sonata-allegro form.
  • double [French] During the Baroque period, a repetition or variation of an air or a dance that adds extra notes and/or ornaments.
  • tosto [Italian] Swiftly, rapidly.
  • common chord A chord that appears in more than one key. Frequently used in modulation.