Cadenza
A virtuosic solo passage, often improvised, near the end of a movement.
Category
form
Pronunciation
kah-DEHN-tsah
Origin
Italian
Length
103 words · 1 min read
About Cadenza
A cadenza is an extended, technically demanding passage for the soloist, typically occurring near the end of a concerto movement. Historically, cadenzas were improvised on the spot; today, most performers play written-out versions by the composer or by later editors.
More form terms
Sinfonia
View all formterms →A symphony or orchestral introduction — a large-scale work for full orchestra in multiple movements
FugueA contrapuntal composition in which a subject is introduced and developed through imitative entries
Theme and VariationsA form in which a theme is stated and then altered through a series of variations
Ternary FormA three-part musical structure (ABA)
Sonata FormA large-scale musical structure based on exposition, development, and recapitulation
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v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →