Listening Journal #8: Toccata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUS0uJgNwac

Toccata in A Major: Henry Purcell

Elements

• Harpsichord
• A major
• Duple Simple
• ~ Allegro
• Many ornamentations

Structure

• Tempo continues to fluctuate
• Dynamic is consistently mf

Context

• Early Baroque
• English (Henry Purcell)
• Toccata 

Listening Journal #7: L'Orfeo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwhETnxFQCQ

L'Orfeo - Toccata: Monteverdi

Elements

• Timbre: Brass and Percussion
• @ 0:32 - String section ritornello 
• @ 1:03 - Brass once again takes on a more prevalent role
• Homophonic
• Major key
• Duple simple meter
• Syncopation

Structure

• Strophic
• Each section is a slight variation on the original melody by being played by different instruments and with varying levels of dynamics
• Before ritornellos: authentic cadence, ritardando, slight pause

Context

• Late renaissance, early baroque
• 15th century

Listening Journal #6: Giovanni Gabrieli

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuXmLCY9k_w

Giovanni Gabrieli - Sonata Pian e Forte

Elements

• Wind ensemble 
• Duple Simple
• Slow tempo, (~ Larghetto)
• Major key
• Polyphonic texture
• Syncopation

Structure

• Sounds as if there are occasional embellishment at ends of phrases 
• Suspensions throughout (i.e. 0:44)
• 'Pian e Fort' means the use of both soft and loud dynamics 
• 3:50: antiphonal --> responsorial 

Context

• Renaissance era (Gabrieli is a well known renaissance composer)
• Italian
• Sacred
• Instrumental