7 Glossary 7motet A polyphonic vocal composition of the Middle
Ages and Renaissance that is based on a sacred text
and usually sung without accompaniment.
neumes Symbols used to note music in the Middle Ages.
New Style Time denoted according to the Gregorian
calendar.
oeuvre An artist’s complete body of work.
Old Style Time denoted according to the Julian
calendar.
opprobrium Disgrace resulting from shameful conduct.
oratorio A musical composition for voices and orchestra
that tells a sacred story without costumes, scenery, or
dramatic action.
papal Pertaining to the pope or the Roman
Catholic Church.
pedagogic Relating to the art and science of being a
teacher.
pizzicato A playing technique by which the strings of an
instrument are plucked, rather than bowed.
polonaise A type of stately Polish dance and music,
performed in triple time at a moderate tempo.
proletarian A member of the working class.
provost A high-ranking university administrator.
recapitulation The final section of a musical composition
that repeats the earlier themes.
rondeau A medieval French song form with two phrases,
each repeated several times.
scherzo A lighthearted, rapid piece of music, often
forming the third movement of a symphony; scherzo
is Italian for joke.
serenata (or serenade) A dramatic musical composi-
tion, usually written in someone’s honor.
serenade A type of 18th- and 19th-century instrumental
music, usually written in several movements and
performed in the evening.