Choral Music: Defined and Explored

Choral Music refers to music that is performed by a choir or group of singers. The Western Classical Tradition has a rich history of this type of composition.

Structure and Types

Sacred Music: Music composed for religious purposes, often performed during church services. It includes masses, cantatas and oratorios.
Secular Music: Music intended for social occasions rather than religious worship. Such works often had themes drawn from mythology, history or everyday life.

Influential Composers

Johann Sebastian Bach: Known for his intricate compositions, Bach used complex polyphony and counterpoint, with multiple voices interweaving simultaneously.
George Frideric Handel: Noted for his grand, dramatic works. His oratorios, such as the ‘Messiah’, showcase his ability to write powerful choral parts.

Iconic Characteristics

Voices: Choral music allows for considerable variation in the number and type of voices used, including soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (SATB).
Polyphony: Involves the use of two or more melodic lines, independently co-existing and interweaving with each other.
Homophony: This structure involves all voices moving together in harmony, singing the same rhythm.

Techniques and Terms

Counterpoint: The relationship between voices that are harmonically interdependent but rhythmically independent.
Ornamentation: Includes the use of techniques such as trills, mordents, and appoggiaturas to adorn the melody.
Crescendo and Diminuendo: These terms refer to the gradual increase and decrease in volume, commonly seen in Baroque choral music.

In conclusion, choral music is a fascinating area of study within the Western Classical Tradition, filled with rich complexity and emotional depth.