Meaning of Consort in Music
In the context of music, the term "consort" refers to an instrumental ensemble that was popular in England during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word "consort" can be used to indicate both the ensemble itself and the music performed by the ensemble.
A consort typically consists of a group of instrumentalists and singers who perform music, especially old music. The instruments in a consort are usually of the same family, such as viols, and are played in concert. The term can also refer to a group of instruments accompanying each other or a group of musicians playing together.
Consort music played an important role in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and it was often performed in the homes of nobility and at court. The repertoire of a consort could include vocal and instrumental compositions, and the ensemble could vary in size and instrumentation depending on the specific composition and performance context.
Overall, a consort in music refers to an instrumental ensemble that performs old music, often consisting of instruments of the same family and accompanied by singers.
A 16th to 17th century English instrumental ensemble of two to eight performers consisting of a single family of instruments or a mixed family of instruments.
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