passagework

American  

[pas-ij-wurk] / ˈpæs ɪdʒˌwɜrk /

noun

Music.

1. writing that is often extraneous to the thematic material of a work and is typically of a virtuosic or decorative character.

   passagework consisting of scales, arpeggios, trills, and double octaves.

2. the performance of such writing.

   The pianist's passagework is brilliantly clear and smooth.

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Etymology

Origin of passagework

First recorded in 1860–65; passage ¹ + work

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

passagework

Kern is a pianist of muscle and blazing, headlong speed: the densest passagework cruised, even occasionally hurtling past Slatkin’s warm, firmly outlined accompaniment.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 6, 2019

Rossini’s coloratura flourishes and speedy passagework pose no problems for Costa-Jackson, whose voice flows easily from the lower register to well above the staff, without any awkward transitions.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 21, 2019

Here the high-and-mighty trumpet, lofty solo violin, middling oboe and lowly recorder uncharacteristically perform interchangeable lines of undifferentiated passagework:

From New York Times ● Dec. 20, 2018

But in bursts of blazing passagework she was wholly convincing.

From New York Times ● Dec. 7, 2017

Although Watts’s passagework may be more effortful than in the past, the glories of his sound were still there: the muscular chords, the gleaming tone, and the ability to spin out an ever-so-delicate phrase.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 19, 2017