rondo
Sign in to savethumb|Title page of Franz Rigler's "Three Rondos" (1790) thumb|First page of the manuscript for Mozart's [[Adagio and Rondo for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello]] The rondo or rondeau is a musical form that contains a principal theme (sometimes called the "refrain") which alternates with one or more contrasting themes (generally called "episodes", but also referred to as "digressions" or "couplets"). Some possible patterns include: ABACA, ABACAB, ABACBA, or ABACABA (with the letter 'A' representing the refrain).
AI overview
A rondo is a musical form built around a main theme that keeps returning while alternating with different contrasting sections in between. This structure—where the principal melody comes back repeatedly among new musical ideas—became a popular way for composers to organize instrumental pieces from at least the 18th century onward.
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Article
11 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Definition and historical development
- Origins in Italian opera
- Rondeau form in French Baroque music
- Spread of the rondeau form internationally
- Rondo and sonata form
- Examples of rondo form
- Character type
- Other usages
- References
- External links
thumb|Title page of Franz Rigler's "Three Rondos" (1790) thumb|First page of the manuscript for Mozart's [[Adagio and Rondo for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello]] The rondo or rondeau is a musical form that contains a principal theme (sometimes called the "refrain") which alternates with one or more contrasting themes (generally called "episodes", but also referred to as "digressions" or "couplets"). Some possible patterns include: ABACA, ABACAB, ABACBA, or ABACABA (with the letter 'A' representing the refrain).
The rondo form emerged in the Baroque period and became increasingly popular during the Classical period. The earliest examples of compositions employing rondo form are found within Italian operatic arias and choruses from the first years of the 17th century. These examples use a multi-couplet rondo or "chain rondo" (ABACAD) known as the Italian rondo. Rondo form, also known in English by its French spelling rondeau, should not be confused with the unrelated but similarly-named forme fixe rondeau, a 14th- and 15th-century French poetic and chanson form.