Dictionary of Music - Birding America

164 gospel musicrubbing of microphones against it to pick up its mostminute vibrations. In British usage the unpitchedgong is called “tam-tam,” and the term “gong” refersto a flat disk that sounds a specific pitch.In the GAMELAN and other Asian ensembles,gongs are a vital element, and in some places (Borneo,some parts of China) may make up an entireorchestra. Either flat-surfaced or knobbed, and varyingin size from quite small to very large, they oftenare used in tuned series, either hanging in a frame orstand, or cradled (supported from below). In Indonesianmusic they serve to phrase or punctuate themusic.gospel music A kind of highly emotional religiousmusic that developed in black Americanchurches during the 1930s. Gospel songs tell ofJesus, of learning religion, of life’s trials, of beingsaved. The tunes and harmonies, usually four-part,are simple and straightforward, and may involveCALL AND RESPONSE, but the performance mayinvolve hand-clapping, foot-stamping, shouts, ringingtambourines, and other special effects. The socalled“father of gospel song” is Thomas A. Dorsey,whose “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” is one of thebest-known gospel hymns. An outstanding gospelsinger was Mahalia Jackson (1911–1972), whoregarded blues as the devil’s music and would singonly gospel, the music of the Lord. Other famousgospel performers include Marion Williams(1927–1994) and the Rev. James L. Cleveland(1932–1991), who organized the Gospel SingersWorkshop Convention (a large national organization).About the same time that rhythm and bluesdeveloped into rock, gospel, which had helped shaperhythm and blues, developed into SOUL. Todaygospel music is still sung in devotional services inchurches, often arranged for choirs ranging from ahandful of singers to fifty or more voices, but therealso are gospel singers who perform mainly in theatersand night clubs, purely for entertainment. Seealso SPIRITUAL.Gottschalk (got′shôk), Louis Moreau,1829–1869. An American composer and pianovirtuoso who is remembered principally for a largenumber of salon piano pieces (see SALON MUSIC),such as The Banjo and Tournament galop. Enormouslypopular during his lifetime, he touredwidely, performing his own piano works and conductinghis orchestral works. His music echoes thestrains of his native New Orleans, of South Americandance halls, and North American music halls.He also wrote two operas.Gounod (goo — nō′), Charles François (shArl fräNswA′), 1818–1893. A French composer whowrote principally sacred music and operas. Duringthe early part of his career Gounod served as anorganist and choir director, and he wrote mainlychurch music, including Masses, Requiem Masses, aTe Deum, and motets. After 1850 he devoted himselfentirely to operas, of which his best by far is Faust(1857). Of his other operas, the best known isRoméo et Juliette (1867). Late in life, Gounodreturned to church music, producing such works ashis oratorio, La Rédemption. Although they aresometimes criticized as being overly sentimental,Gounod’s works are notable for their lovelymelodies as well as for skillful treatment of voicesand instruments, which influenced such later composersas Bizet and Fauré.G.P.The abbreviation for GENERALPAUSE.grace In sixteenth- and seventeenth-centuryEngland, any musical ornament (see ORNAMENTS).grace note An ornament played very quickly justbefore a main note; it is performed just before thebeat and gives a sharp accent to the main note. Thegrace note is usually printed in small type. Its timevalue is not counted in the rhythm of the measure,being borrowed from the duration of a note eitherimmediately before or immediately after it. (Seeunder APPOGGIATURA.)fig. 116 p/u from p. 169gradevole (grä dā′vô le) Italian. A direction toperform in an easy, pleasing, agreeable manner.Gradual 1 In the Roman Catholic rite (see MASS),the second sung section of the Proper of the Mass.