Meaning of Ritornello in Music
Ritornello is a musical term that refers to a recurring section or theme in a piece of music. It alternates with contrasting episodes or sections, creating a structured form. The term "ritornello" comes from the Italian word "ritorno," meaning "return" or "repetition".
In the Baroque period, ritornello form was commonly used. It is characterized by a recurring A section that appears between new sections or episodes. This form provides a sense of unity and organization to the music, as the ritornello theme returns throughout the piece.
The use of ritornello can be traced back to the music of the sixteenth-century Venetian composer Giovanni Gabrieli, who is credited with developing the concertato style that featured repeating passages like ritornellos. The term was also used in the Middle Ages to refer to the last two lines of a madrigal and a verse form with three lines.
Overall, ritornello is a musical device that adds structure and repetition to a composition, creating a recognizable theme that returns throughout the piece
A short, recurring instrumental passage in Baroque aria and concerti, particularly in a tutti section.
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