cantata etymology

Etymology

"Cantata" comes from the Italian word "cantare," meaning "to sing."

Meaning and Origin

A cantata is a vocal composition for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, typically consisting of several movements with contrasting tempos and styles. It originated in Italy in the 17th century as a secular form of music that was performed in theaters and private homes.

Cantatas were initially composed in a variety of forms, including the chamber cantata (performed with a small instrumental ensemble) and the church cantata (performed in a religious setting). By the Baroque period, the church cantata had become a standard form, particularly in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Characteristics

  • Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra
  • Multi-movement structure
  • Contrasting tempos and styles
  • Often based on a sacred or secular text
  • Poetic or narrative lyrics
  • Expressive and dramatic music

Examples

  • Bach's "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (BWV 140)
  • Handel's "Messiah"
  • Beethoven's "Christ on the Mount of Olives"
  • Mendelssohn's "Elijah"
  • Verdi's "Requiem"

cantata relate terms

  • accent

    Etymology From Middle English accent borrowed from Old French accent derived from

  • cant

    Etymology From Middle English canten ultimately from Old French chantere to sing

  • cantabile

    Etymology Italian cantabile from Latin cantabilis From cantare to sing bi

  • cantata

    Etymology Cantata comes from the Italian word cantare meaning to sing Meaning an

  • cantatrice

    Etymology The word cantatrice comes from the Italian word cantatrice which in turn

  • canticle

    Etymology The word canticle is derived from the Latin canticulum meaning a little

  • canto

    Etymology The word canto comes from the Italian word canto which in turn is derived

  • cantor

    Etymology The word cantor comes from the Latin word cantor which is derived from the

  • canzone

    Etymology Canzone is an Italian word derived from the Latin cantio meaning song

  • Carmen

    Etymology and Meaning The name Carmen is of Latin origin and means song or poem It

  • chanson

    Etymology French chanson from Old French chanson from Latin cantionem nominati

  • chant

    Etymology The word chant originates from the Old French word chanter which in turn

  • chanter

    Etymology Middle English chanten from Old French chançon chanter from Late Latin ca

  • chanteuse

    Etymology French feminine form of chanteur singer From Old French chantere f

  • chanty

    Etymology The word chanty is derived from the Old French word chanter meaning to s

  • chanticleer

    Etymology The word chanticleer is derived from the following sources Old English c

  • charm

    Etymology Old French charme Latin carmen incantation spell song Proto Indo Euro

  • concent

    Etymology The word concent derives from the Latin word concentus which means agree

  • descant

    Etymology Origin Old French descant Meaning Song added to a plainchant Root Latin des

  • enchant

    Etymology The word enchant derives from the Old French word enchanter which in turn

  • enchantment

    Etymology The word enchantment derives from the Old French word enchantement which

  • incantation

    Etymology The word incantation derives from the Latin word incantare which means t

  • incentive

    Etymology Latin incentivus Indo European ken kenk to urge Meaning Somethi

  • oscine

    Etymology Latin oscen Proto Indo European awe awi bird Meaning A type of bir

  • precentor

    Etymology The word precentor is derived from the Latin word praecentor which means

  • recant

    Etymology The word recant comes from the Latin verb recantare which means to sing b

  • oratorio

    Etymology Latin oratorium From Late Latin orare to pray Related to oral oratory

  • sonata

    Etymology and Meaning of Sonata The term sonata derives from the Italian word sonar

  • classical

    Etymology of Classical The term classical has its roots in Latin classicus pertai

  • mess

    Etymology The word mess comes from the Middle English word messe which in turn come

  • dodge

    Etymology The word dodge has its origins in the Middle English word doggen meaning

  • versatile

    Etymology The word versatile comes from the French versatile which in turn derives

  • chorus

    Etymology Late Latin chorus Greek khoros a dancing place from khoreia dance Me

  • conception

    Etymology The word conception derives from the Latin conceptio which means taking t

  • orchid

    Etymology of Orchid The word orchid originates from the Greek word orchis which me

  • fair

    Etymology The word fair originates from the Old English word fæger meaning beauti