passacaglia

American  

[pah-suh-kahl-yuh, pas-uh-kal-] / ˌpɑ səˈkɑl jə, ˌpæs əˈkæl- /

noun

1. a slow, dignified dance of Spanish origin.

2. the music for this dance, based on an ostinato figure.

3. a musical form based on continuous variations over a ground bass.

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passacaglia British  

/ ˌpæsəˈkɑːljə /

noun

1. an old Spanish dance in slow triple time

2. a slow instrumental piece characterized by a series of variations on a particular theme played over a repeated bass part See also chaconne

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Etymology

Origin of passacaglia

1650–60; pseudo-Italian spelling of earlier passacalle < Spanish pasacalle literally, step (i.e., dance) in the street ( pasa 3rd-person singular present of pasar to step, pace ¹ + calle street < Latin callem, accusative of callis path)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

passacaglia

The fourth becomes a sophisticated lesson in arpeggios and the last, a fanciful passacaglia.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026

The compelling third movement begins ominously, with a seemingly lugubrious passacaglia, the theme played low and haltingly by a tuba.

From New York Times ● Dec. 30, 2021

Through speakers hidden in the foliage, the Disney garden is now a sound installation by Susan Philipsz, in which fragments of an Eisler solo violin passacaglia become transfixing 12-tone bird song.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2020

A morbid tale of unrequited obsession created in 1946, set with calculated irony to a Bach passacaglia and saturated with existential despair, this piece has always demanded star performances, which Rojo and Le Riche deliver.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 20, 2013

Some lithe creature came forth to dance, in bright scarlet, the passacaglia.

From Mistress Penwick by Payne, Dutton