passagework
Americannoun
-
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.
-
the performance of such writing.
The pianist's passagework is brilliantly clear and smooth.
Etymology
Origin of passagework
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
His passagework had a hard glare, and he lined up chords neatly like punctuation marks.
From New York Times ● Sep. 30, 2022
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
Her voice was even throughout its range, and she tossed off dazzling passagework clearly.
From New York Times ● Apr. 25, 2018
There is no question of the Verona’s technical address; ensemble and intonation are excellent, and passagework was secure throughout.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 12, 2017
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
