Cadenza

A cadenza is a virtuosic solo passage in a concerto or other musical work, typically near the end of a movement, that is often improvised or written out to display the performer's technical skill. Traditionally, cadenzas were opportunities for performers to embellish the music and showcase their musicality. They often involve rapid scales, arpeggios, and other complex musical figures, providing a dramatic and exciting climax to the piece.

Cadenza meaning with examples

• The pianist built anticipation, playing the final measures of the first movement, paused and then delivered an exhilarating cadenza filled with cascading runs and powerful chords.
• In Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, the cadenza allows the pianist to transform the melody, adding new phrases and improvising with virtuosity, captivating the audience.
• The violinist's fingers flew across the strings during the cadenza, creating a thrilling effect with a display of remarkable technical prowess.
• The composer encouraged each instrumentalist to write their own cadenza, giving the piece a fresh feeling with the distinct style that everyone had to offer.