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Movement
One of the main sections of a large-scale composition such as a concerto,
a sonata, or a symphony.
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Melody
Primary musical line, or theme of a composition. Mozart is recognized as
one of the greatest composers of beautiful melodies.
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Major Key
Based on the major scale.
Composers often use a major
key for music which sounds happy or joyful.
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Minor Key
Based on the minor scale.
Composers often use a minor key for music which sounds sad, mysterious, or mournful.
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Allegro
A tempo (speed) marking meaning quickly. Many of the markings found in Mozart's scores (and
those of many other composers as well) are in Italian.
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Adagio
A tempo marking meaning slowly.
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Presto
A tempo marking meaning very fast.
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Ensemble
A small group of musicians. If they all play instruments of the same type or family,
the group might be called, for example, a wind ensemble, or a string ensemble.
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Quartet
An ensemble of four musicians. For exampe, a string quartet typically
has two violins, a viola, and a cello.
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Quintet
An ensemble of five musicians.
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Aria
In an opera, a melody sung by a single character (solo)
accompanied usually by an orchestra.