cadenza

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The word cadenza, Hoffman explains, comes from the word cadence - a closing sequence in a piece of music.

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Definitions (5)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun An elaborate, ornamental melodic flourish interpolated into an aria or other vocal piece.
  2. noun An extended virtuosic section for the soloist usually near the end of a movement of a concerto.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (1)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

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Examples

  • The matter is this: I have just added a tremendous cadenza, three pages long, in small notes, and anentire Coda, almost as long, to Beethoven's "Adelaide". —  Letters
  • When he came to a pause for the introduction of a cadenza, at rehearsal, the musicians would frequently rise, eager to watch his performance, but Paganini would merely play a few notes, and then stopping suddenly would smile and say, “Et cetera, messieurs!” and reserve his strength for the public performance. —  Famous Violinists of To-day and Yesterday
  • The concluding cadenza, that twirling line, reads plainly "Frederic Chopin." —  Frederic Chopin as a Man and Musician
  • The word cadenza, Hoffman explains, comes from the word cadence - a closing sequence in a piece of music. —  NPR Topics: News
  • Thus the cadenza is the only thing left to the lovers of pure music, the devotees of unfettered art. —  Massimilla Doni
 

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Cadenza has been looked up 171 times, favorited once, listed 19 times, and commented on 3 times.

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Italian, from Old Italian, cadence; see cadence.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Italian: see cadence.
 

Pronunciations
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/kæˈdɛnzə/
by American Heritage

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