Classical music - made easy

A. Of course, that's what the Answerbank is here for, what sort of information do you need

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Q. A quick run down of some of the more basic terms and expressions will help. I don't know a concerto from a symphony!

A. A concerto is a piece designed for a small group of instruments supporting a main instrument, a piano or violin, organ or cello. The lead instrument can vary, if the piece is lead by one main instrument, it's a concerto. A symphony is a piece that is split up into several parts, played by the whole orchestra.

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Q. Someone mentioned a 'concertino', are they trying to wind me up

A. No, a concertino is a small concerto, it is a genuine musical term, and not something made up to make you sound foolish.

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Q. I'm confused by the terms 'opera' and 'operetta' what's the difference

A. Opera is a musical piece in which singers sing most, if not all of their parts. Operetta is light opera, some of the parts may be spoken instead of sung.

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Q. I'm not sure about the difference between a capella and a cantata, please explain.

A. A 'capella', also known as singing a capella' simply means a piece of music for unaccompanied voice or voices. A cantata is a choral (sung by a choir) piece that uses solo voices with musical accompaniment.

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Q. Someone has told me that a 'faggott' is a musical instrument, am I being fooled again

A. Don't worry�- a faggott is simply an Italian name for a bass bassoon, a member of the woodwind section. It's not likely to crop up in general conversation, even among classical music buffs.

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Q. I think 'fugue' sounds like a good classical term, what does it mean

A. Fugues are popular works by composers such as Bach, so you may be able to impress by explaining to anyone else who is unsure what the definition is. Simply, a fugue involves an instrument or voice singing the main theme of a piece, which is answered by a second voice or instrument. Other voices or instruments join in, always singing or playing the theme, and then building the piece as it proceeds.

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Q. The word 'movement' gets used a fair bit, I could do with knowing what that means as well.

A. A movement is simply a section of a long piece of music that is complete in itself. It may, or may not be liked to other movements in the piece, but it's not compulsory.

Q. Instruments are a minefield, I don't know a lute from a lyre�- can you assist

A. A lute is a flat-faced stringed instrument with a pear-shaped back. It was popular in Shakespeare's time, so you often see it played in films or stage productions of his plays. A lyre is essentially a 'portable' type of harp, usually shown in paintings of Greek culture.

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Q. How did the Gregorian Chant get its name

A. It's named after Pope Gregory The Great, who became Saint Gregory, and who is acknowledged as having standardised the form in the sixth century.

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Q. I'd love to use words like 'rococo' but if someone asks me what it means, I'm stuck.

A. It's a general term for light French music popular in the 18^th century, and it's taken from a style of architecture that was popular at the same time. If you don't know that much about classical music, you can always ask someone who does know, even your boss. Classical music is like any other musical style, people who know it and love it are delighted to talk about to an enquiring newcomer. Now you've got a grounding in technical terms, have a listen to some of the music around your questions, you might even get to like it!

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