Obligato (Noun)
Meaning 1
A persistent but subordinate motif.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The composer wove a haunting obligato throughout the symphony, adding a subtle yet persistent layer of emotion to the overall work.
- A soaring violin obligato soared above the main melody, underscoring the sense of longing in the music.
- In the poem, the repetition of the word "remember" served as a sort of obligato, echoing softly in the background and reinforcing the theme of nostalgia.
- The mournful obligato of a lone saxophone drifted through the jazz tune, a poignant counterpoint to the jaunty main theme.
- A repeating pattern of descending arpeggios served as an obligato in the piano accompaniment, adding a sense of tension and foreboding to the vocal line.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
A part of the score that must be performed without change or omission.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The orchestral accompaniment is marked obligato, meaning the notes must be played as written without any alteration.
- In Baroque music, an obligato part was often assigned to a particular instrument, such as a violin or cello.
- The composer insisted that the trumpet part be played obligato, as it was a crucial element of the overall sound.
- The pianist carefully marked the obligatory passages in red to ensure she did not deviate from the score.
- The violin soloist was instructed to play the obligato section of the concerto exactly as written, without embellishment.