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Scan 61
Pronouncing dictionary and condensed encyclopedia of musical terms, instruments, composers and important works, 1880
84 lines. Read by computer on 15 September 2026. Printed page 57. See the scan on archive.org.
1Polacca (Ital. pō-lāk'-kā). A Polish national dance in 3-4 time; a dance tune in which an emphasis is placed on the first unaccented part of the measure.
3Polka, a lively Bohemian or Polish dance in 2-4 time, the first three quavers in each bar being accented, and the fourth quaver unaccented.
5Polonaise (pōl-ō-nāz). A movement of three crotchets in a measure, the rhythmical pause coming on the last crotchet of the bar.
7Polyphony, "many sounds." Applied to compositions consisting of three or more independently moving voices, as in fugue, etc. Distinguished from Homophony, in which there is but one melodious voice, the others being accompaniment, as in glees and American psalmody. See Chapter V.
9Pomposo (Ital. pōm-pō'-zō). Pompous, stately, grand.
11Poniatowski, Joseph, Prince, and kinsman of Stanislaus II, last king of Poland, was born at Rome, 1816. He was educated in music, and produced seven or eight operas.
13Ponte, Lorenzo da, a famous writer of opera librettos, among them Mozart's "Figaro" and "Don Juan." Born 1749. Died 1838.
15Popper, David, a distinguished cellist, born 1842. Lived since 1868 in Vienna.
17Porpora, Nicolo (pōr-pō-rā), the distinguished opera composer and rival of Handel, was born at Naples in 1686, educated there, appeared as composer in 1708, and after several years' wandering between Vienna, London, etc., in 1760 he returned to Naples, where he lived at the head of the Conservatory of San Onofrio. Died 1767. Wrote more than 50 operas, 6 oratorios, 4 masses, 29 other sacred works, 6 symphonies for chamber, etc.
19Portamento (Ital. pōr-tā mān'-tō). A term applied by the Italians to the manner or habit of sustaining and conducting the voice. A singer who is easy, and yet firm and steady in the execution of passages and phrases, is said to have a good portamento. It is also used to connect two notes separated by an interval, by gliding the voice from one to the other, and by this means anticipating the latter in regard to intonation.
21Portando la voce (Ital. pōr-tān'-dō lā vō'-tshē). Carrying the voice, holding it firmly on the notes.
23Posaune (Ger. pō-zōú-nē). A trumpet, a trombone, a sackbut, also an organ stop.
25Potpourri (pōt-poor'-rē). A medley, a capriccio or fantasia, in which favorite airs and fragments of musical pieces are strung together and contrasted.
27Position, a shift on the violin, tenor, or violoncello: the arrangement or order of the several members of a chord.
29Positive, an appellation formerly given to the little organ, placed in front of the full or great organ.
31Possibile (Ital. pōs-sē'-bē-lē), possible; il più forte possibile, as loud as possible.
33Postludium (Ital. pōst-lū'-dī'-ūm). Afterpiece, concluding voluntary.
35Potter, Cypriani, pianist and composer. Born in London, 1792, where his father was a professor of music. Studied with Calcott, Crotch, and Woelfl. Was made professor in the Royal School of Music, and in 1825 president of the same. Died 1872. Wrote trios, duos, sonatas, and piano pieces.
37Pral trill, the German name for the mordente, an embellishment consisting of two small notes preceding a principal one. See appendix.
39Pratt, Silas G., pianist and composer, was born Aug. 12, 1847. Studied at first in Chicago, afterwards with Wüerst and Kullak, at Berlin, and still later with Liszt, at Weimar. Has written two operas, a symphony, many piano pieces, etc.
41Precentor, the appellation given formerly to the master of the choir.
43Prelude, a short, introductory composition, or extempore performance, to prepare the ear for the succeeding movements.
45Precipitando (Ital. prā-tshē-pē-tān-dō). Hurrying.
47Precipitato (Ital. prā-tshē-pē-tā'-tō). In a precipitate manner, hurriedly.
49Precisione (Ital. prā-tshē-zē-ō'-nē). Precision, exactness.
51Preghiera (Ital. prā-ghē-ā'-rā). Prayer, supplication.
53Preparation, that disposition of the harmony by which discords are lawfully introduced. A discord is said to be prepared when the discordant note is heard in the preceding chord, and in the same part, as a consonance.
55Prestamente (Ital. prēs-tā-mān'-tē). Hurriedly, rapidly.
57Prestezza (Ital. prēs-tād'-sā). Quickness, rapidity.
59Presto (Ital. prās'-tō). Quickly, rapidly.
61Pressure tone, a sudden crescendo.
63Prima (Ital. prē'-mā). First, chief, principal.
65Prima Vista (Ital. prē'-mā vē'-stā). At first sight.
67Prima Volta (Ital. prē'-mā vōl'-tā). The first time.
69Principal, the chief idea in a piece of music. See Chapter XIII.
71Principal, an organ stop of diapason tone. In English organs the principal is the "octave," a 4ft. stop. In German it is the open diapason of 8ft. or 16ft.
73Programme, an order of exercises for musical or other entertainments.
75Programme Music, music designed to tell in tones a story derived from some poem, or legend. See Chap. XXI.
77Progression, movement from one tone or chord to another.
79Prosody, a term, partly grammatical and partly musical, relating to the accent and metrical quantity of syllables, in lyrical composition.
81Prologue, Musical, the preface or introduction to a musical composition or performance; a prelude.
83Professor of Music, the instructor or lecturer on music in a chartered college or school. An accomplished musician (English usage).
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