A short return or repetition; a concluding symphony to an air, often consisting of the burden of the song.

A short intermediate symphony, or instrumental passage, in the course of a vocal piece; an interlude.

Italian for little return, an orchestral piece added to an aria in a 17th or early 18th century opera to summarise and encapsulate the emotional content of the piece.

In C17 and C18 opera, a short instrumental passage that recurs at various points in an aria or between sections of a lengthy choral work.

(Italian, "the little thing that returns") A recurring theme in eighteenth-century arias and concertos.

an instrumental interlude between vocal verses; an instrumental introduction in an aria.

The section of music that is repeated numerous times throughout a concerto. It is usually played by the whole ensemble. ( Lesson 9, Page 1) HEAR IT

A Verdi opera.

Recurring passage. Music structurally based on the recurrence of a ritornello is the main compositional practice of the Baroque (the ritornello principle), especially in the concerto grosso. You also call the orchestral half of a Classical concerto exposition the orchestral ritornello.

Term characterizes first movement concerto form, particularly during the Classical era. The ritornello is the primary theme, which recurs in various keys in alternation with the soloist.

a repeating instrumental passage

a form which features a regularly repeated tutti section

A short recurring passage that unifies an instrumental or vocal work. Example: Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No.5, first movement Real Audio: 28k | 56k | About this album In this example, the opening passage (the ritornello) is followed by a solo section (with harpsichord), after which the ritornello recurs.

The instrumental prelude to an individual song within a cantata, concerto or aria; in baroque Italian operas, the ritornello (which comes from Italian meaning "a little return trip") could be heard not only at the beginning and the end of the aria, but as a dividing mark between stanzas.

A recurring section that frames a movement. In the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth, an opening ritornello is used to introduce the main themes.

Instrumental introduction or interlude in a movement

a recurring orchestral melody. Common especially in the concertos of Vivaldi.

A short recurring passage that unifies an instrumental or vocal work. In this example, the opening passage (the ritornello) is followed by a solo section (with harpsichord), after which the ritornello recurs. Example: Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, first movement Real Audio: 28K | 56K | About this album

In Baroque music, Ritornello was the word for a recurring passage for orchestra in the first or final movement of a solo concerto or aria (also in works for chorus). In ritornello form, the tutti opens with a theme called the ritornello (refrain). This theme, always played by the tutti, returns in different keys throughout the movement.