Ritornello literally means "a little return". This is a feature used a lot in Baroque music. It won't be found in a Recitative and it won't be found in a Passacaglia, but you will hear it in a Concerto Grosso, an Aria and a Da Capo Aria.
This is a repeated motif played by the ensemble, whether they are a stand alone instrumental ensemble playing a Concerto Grosso, or indeed a Concerto or whether they are accompanying singers as part of a large vocal work such as an Opera or an Oratorio.
If you hear a little segment of music played several times throughout the excerpt of music from the Baroque era, you can be pretty sure it is a Ritornello.
Example:
So take this particular movement of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" Solo violin concerto (yup there were such things as Concertos as we know them in the Baroque era - the Concerto Grosso was just a Baroque-specific fashion, which is why we teach you it there).
Watch the video, it's super simple. The Ritornello is identified as it happens. It's a great visual aid to help you locate and identify the recurring segment, and get used to calling it a Ritornello!
Next Steps:
When you hear ANY piece of music from the Baroque era, tune your thoughts into "can I hear a little passage of music getting repeated throughout the piece?" and remember, it's called a "Ritornello"
Enjoy yourself.
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