Sinfonia and Ouverture in the Baroque Era: Terminological Aspect

Abstract

This article focuses on the use of sinfonia and ouverture as terms in the Baroque era. Its relevance is due to the fact that an objective picture of the Baroque musical culture is impossible without studying authentic terminology, including terms used as names of musical works or their sections. Since there have been no special musicological publications on this topic, information obtained as a result of the study can expand the traditional ideas about what the terms sinfonia and ouverture meant in the 17th and the first half of the 18th century. Sheet music and manuscripts as well as articles from the largest European dictionaries of that time indicate that the terms had different meanings. They were used not only in orchestral, but also in solo and ensemble music and even vocal compositions could be regarded as symphonies. Moreover, musical compositions or their sections, called sinfonias and overtures were intended not only for theatrical and concert practice, but also for performance at court and in even at church. According to the author, the terms sinfonia and ouverture in the Baroque era, in contrast to modern practice, were used as genre names only in regard to so-called Neapolitan opera symphonies and French overtures. Thus, these terms were generally used much more diversely than it follows from those traditional perceptions on which the modern theory of musical genres is largely based.