Music for voices

Vocal ranges: There are many different types of voice, they are named according to the range of notes they can sing.(In pitch order)


Treble: A boys unbroken voice

Soprano: Highest female voice

Mezzo soprano: Medium female voice

Contralto: Lowest female voice (often shortened to alto)

Counter-tenor: High male voice

Tenor: Medium- high in male voice range

Baritones: Medium to low male range

Bass: Lowest male voice

Types of solo songs:

Lied (plural is lieder): A type of German art song used in the Romantic period for solo voice and piano. Inspired by poetry. Always accompanied by the piano, it's job is to mirror the words and show the meaning of the words. Almost a duet between vocalist and piano, both have equal importance

Aria: A long accompanied song for a solo voice, usually in an opera or oratorio

This is one of Mozart's Aria's that is for soprano voice, its probably the highest aria piece.

Opera: a piece of drama set to music, they would act and sing, complete with costume and set.

Oratorio: A Large scale piece for orchestra, choir and soloists, typically sung about religious topics, It would be set out statically unlike an opera.

Concerto grosso and concerto

Concerto grosso is a form of Baroque music where music is played by small groups of soloists (the concertino) and the full orchestra ( the ripieno ).In the Baroque Period there would be a Harpsichord which is a distinct sign of the Baroque Period. 
Arcangelo Corelli-

Visual Example

The concerto is a piece where it's a soloist playing the 'main' part not a group, it's accompanied by the orchestra.

In the classical Era concertos were often started by a small Orchestra that built the piece before the soloist would come in.
There would be concerto's for certain instruments such as cello's.


Romantic concerto: This had a bigger orchestra, it was composed in three parts in which the solo performer played whilst accompanied by the orchestra. Pieces were mainly composed for Violin, Cello and piano. They would display all the talents of virtuoso's.