Before we talk about the genres of chamber music, let’s understand the direction. Chamber music is music that is performed by a small number of performers for a small number of listeners.
In the past, this music was often played at home. For example, in the family circle. This is where the name chamber music comes from. From the Latin camera means a room. That is a small, domestic or room music.
There is also such a concept as a chamber orchestra. This is such a scaled-down version (as a rule, not more than 10 people) of the normal orchestra. Well, there are not many listeners either. Usually they are relatives, acquaintances and friends.
Folk song is the most simple and widespread genre of chamber music. It used to be very common for many grandparents to sing various folk songs to their children and grandchildren. The same song could be sung in different words. As if adding something of their own.
What is folk music
However, the melody itself, as a rule, remained the same. Only the lyrics of the folk song changed and improved.
The many-loved romances were also a genre of chamber music. Usually they were accompanied by a small vocal work. We usually had a guitar to accompany it. So we have a lot of love for such lyrical songs with the guitar. Many people probably know them and have heard of them more than once.
Ballad is a kind of narration about various feats or dramas. Ballads were often performed in taverns. As a rule, they praised the exploits of various heroes. Sometimes ballads were used before an upcoming battle to raise people’s morale.
Of course, such songs not infrequently embellished certain moments. But essentially, without additional imagination, the very significance of the ballad would be diminished.
A requiem is a requiem mass. Such mournful choral singing is performed in Catholic churches. In our country a requiem was usually used as a tribute to folk heroes.
A vocalism is a song without words. Usually intended for one singer as a practice exercise. For example, to develop the vocalist’s voice.
Serenade – a genre of chamber music that was performed for a lover. Men usually performed them under the windows of their beloved women and girls. As a rule, such songs praised the beauty of the fair sex.
Cantos were multi-voiced music sung at various festivals, important events, and receptions.