AGO Historical Organ Literature 2

Question 1

Which collection by Girolamo Frescobaldi, published in 1635, is considered a landmark of early Baroque keyboard/organ literature?

Accepted Answer

Fiori Musicali

Answer

Fiori Musicali (1635) contains Mass music for organ and was praised by J.S. Bach, who copied it for study.

Question 2

The 'suspension' in Renaissance and Baroque organ music refers to which technique?

Accepted Answer

A dissonance created by holding a note from a previous beat into a new harmony

Answer

A suspension is a non-chord tone created when a note is held (suspended) from one beat into a new harmony, creating dissonance that resolves.

Question 3

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck's organ fantasias are notable primarily for their use of which compositional technique?

Accepted Answer

Systematic motivic development of a theme through augmentation, diminution, and inversion

Answer

Sweelinck developed fantasias using rigorous motivic development including augmentation, diminution, and rhythmic transformation of a single subject.

Question 4

Which French Baroque organist composed the monumental 'Livre d'Orgue' (1699) containing 100 pieces in the French classical style?

Accepted Answer

Nicolas de Grigny

Answer

Nicolas de Grigny's 'Livre d'Orgue' (1699) contains a Mass and five hymn settings and was copied in its entirety by J.S. Bach.

Question 5

The term 'plein jeu' in French Baroque organ music refers to which type of registration?

Accepted Answer

A full principal chorus including mixtures

Answer

Plein jeu designates a full principal chorus registration, typically including principals and mixtures, used for solemn or majestic passages.

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