chorale
/kɒˈrɑːl/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈræl/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈral -ˈräl/ (ame, mw)
chorale — noun
- choralesingular
- choralesplural
1. a hymn tune for choir and congregation, usually in four vocal parts, sung during
a hymn tune for choir and congregation, usually in four vocal parts, sung during Protestant church services
The chorale began with the sopranos, then the altos, tenors and basses joined in one by one.
four-part structure: voices enter in sequence
The congregation at St Michael's rises to sing a Bach chorale at the end of each Sunday service.
collocation: Bach chorale
Amina has been practising the chorale prelude on the organ for the wedding.
Esther wept as the choir sang the chorale in four-part harmony on Easter morning.
Keiko will write a new chorale for the Christmas Eve service at St Mary's.
- hymn
a religious song of praise sung in Christian worship, not necessarily in four-part harmony or specifically Lutheran
- anthem
a more elaborate choral work, often with organ or orchestral accompaniment, typically for special occasions
- motet
a polyphonic unaccompanied choral piece, usually in Latin, from the Renaissance or Baroque period
用法筆記
Especially associated with the Protestant (Lutheran) tradition, where chorales are hymn tunes sung by the whole congregation as well as by the choir. Often used in the names of specific works, e.g. 'Bach chorales' or 'chorale preludes'.
2. an organised group of people who sing together, especially one that performs cho
an organised group of people who sing together, especially one that performs choral music; a choir
The chorale welcomes new members every September; no previous singing experience is needed.
chorale as an organised singing group with open membership
Hakim joined the local chorale after hearing them perform at the town hall.
The chorale meets every Thursday evening in the church basement to rehearse.
Fatima's grandmother sang with a well-known chorale in Lagos for forty years.
A small chorale of twelve voices performed Handel's Messiah at the community centre.
用法筆記
This sense is much less common than sense 1 (SACRED CHORAL PIECE). In everyday English, 'choir' is the standard word for a group of singers; 'chorale' in this sense sounds old-fashioned or formal.