Greek word "symphōnia" meant harmonious notes in music. Term "symphonia" referred to various musical instruments in Middle Ages. Early symphonies were instrumental pieces and opera introductions. Italian opera overture format influenced early symphony development
Rondo form emerged in Italian opera during late 16th-early 17th centuries. Italian rondo (ABACAD) was first used in Jacopo Peri's Euridice (1600). Jean-Baptiste Lully is considered the father of the rondo form. French composers like Lully, Chambonnières, and Couperin popularized the form
Aria is a self-contained vocal piece with or without instrumental accompaniment. Term first appeared in 14th century as a singing or playing style. By 16th century, referred to instrumental forms and simple madrigal settings
Sonata means "played" in Italian, contrasting with cantata, which means "sung". Baroque sonatas were for one or more instruments with continuo. Corelli established two main sonata types: da chiesa (church) and da camera (court). Scarlatti composed over 500 harpsichord sonatas in binary form
Pedals were first used by English builders in 1772. Early pianos had as few as one pedal and up to six. Hand stops were used for dampers until 1765. German builders continued using knee levers for dampers
Overture emerged as instrumental introduction to ballet, opera, or oratorio in 17th century. French overture first appeared in Lully's court ballets with dotted rhythm and fugato style. Italian overture developed in 1680s, featuring fast-slow-fast movement structure