divertimento

American  

[dih-vur-tuh-men-toh, dee-ver-tee-men-taw] / dɪˌvɜr təˈmɛn toʊ, diˌvɛr tiˈmɛn tɔ /

noun

Music.

plural

divertimentos, divertimenti

1. an instrumental composition in several movements, light and diverting in character, similar to a serenade.

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divertimento British  

/ dɪˌvɜːtɪˈmɛntəʊ /

noun

1. a piece of entertaining music in several movements, often scored for a mixed ensemble and having no fixed form

2. an episode in a fugue

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Etymology

Origin of divertimento

1750–60; < Italian, equivalent to diverti ( re ) to divert + -mento -ment

Example Sentences

At Eton he had learned to play the clarinet and he went on to compose works including a divertimento for soprano and nine woodwind instruments.

From The Guardian • Aug. 26, 2010

Yehudi Menuhin, as conductor and solo violinist, has chosen 20th century gems to show off some sparkling stringwork: a Bart�k divertimento, Stravinsky's Concerto in D, and five little Hindemith sketches, written for string orchestra.

From Time Magazine Archive

As a finale, I played my last divertimento in B; they all pricked up their ears.

From The Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Volume 01 by Nohl, Ludwig

Mozart's Cantabile, as contrasted with the strict school, and Pleyel's divertimento style, had diluted and debased it; and to Beethoven, the hero, do we owe its regeneration now and for ever.

From Life of Beethoven by Schindler, Anton