Glossary
agitprop Political propaganda in the form of art, music,
literature, fi lm, etc.
amalgam A fusion of different elements.
anathema A person or thing that is detested, especially
by the church.
androgynous Having both male and female characteristics.
assiduity Great and persistent attention and diligence.
avant-garde Experimental or progressive.
blacklisting Creating a list of people to be shunned,
especially in reference to suspected Communist
supporters in 1950s American culture.
bravura A style of music that is highly diffi cult and
intended to show off the skill of the performer
cantata A poem set to music as a lyric drama, but not
enacted.
cantor The person who leads singing during the liturgy.
cantus fi rmus An existing melody that forms the
foundation of a polyphonic composition.
chansons Songs with French lyrics, from the Middle
Ages to the present, in a variety of musical styles.
chromatic Notes that are half-steps or semitones apart;
on a piano, the difference in sound between a white
key and the closest black key.
contralto The lower range of the female voice.
contrapuntal Characterized by two or more independent
melodies sounded together.