Solo song
Strophic
A vocal or choral composition in which each verse has the same music. This style is most common in folk songs and here is an example of an English folk song, The Sally Gardens in which the melody is strophic but the composer of the accompaniment, Benjamin Britten, changes this in the last verse to add atmosphere to the words.
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Now listen to another example by the same composer, sung by a baritone voice. Notice that although the melody of the song is strophic, the accompaniment changes with each verse.
´ In verses one and two the piano part plays in canon with the baritone melody.
´ In verse three it is in canon and in the bass part of the accompaniment.
´ In verse five not only is the accompaniment in canon with the solo voice but it is also in a different key and is a very clear example of polytonality.
Through composed
A vocal or choral composition in which there is little or no repetition of the music. Listen to a song from 'The Songs of Travel' by Vaughan Williams. Notice how the accompaniment is played staccato on the piano, how this is then interspersed with arpeggios and the frequent use of rubato in the music.
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Sprechgesang
A technique used in vocal music where the singer is required to use the voice in an expressive manner halfway between singing and speaking. Many of the best examples are by Schoenberg from the start of the twentieth century. Listen to this example from his work 'Pierrot Lunaire'.
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The English composer Sir William Walton also used this style in his work 'Facade'. Listen to a short example from that work which is in a much lighter style.