GLEE, a musical term signifying, broadly speaking, a piece of concerted vocal music, generally unaccompanied, and for male voices, though exceptions are found to the last two restrictions. The number of voices ought not to be less than three. As regards musical form, the glee is little distinguished from the catch (q.v.) —the two terms being often used indiscriminately for the same work; but there is a distinct difference between it and the madrigal (q.v.)—one of the earliest forms of concerted music known in England. While the madrigal does not show a distinction of con trasted movements, this feature is absolutely necessary in the glee.
The originator of the glee in its modern form was Dr. Arne, born in 1710.