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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

passagework

As Beethoven does in his violin concerto, Bruch uses virtuosic passagework only insofar as it enables us to better know the melody.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Wallis Giunta sang Cinderella with a beautiful and subtle tone production that seemed to grow in strength to the final scene, which shone with her brilliant passagework and confident high notes.

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

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

Moment after moment in this 1816 work captivated me: filigreed melodies that hint of Italian opera, brilliantly rippling passagework, feisty bursts that interrupt a cagily gracious rondo.

From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2017

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