rondo

American  

[ron-doh, ron-doh] / ˈrɒn doʊ, rɒnˈdoʊ /

noun

Music.

rondos plural

1. a work or movement, often the last movement of a sonata, having one principal subject that is stated at least three times in the same key and to which return is made after the introduction of each subordinate theme.

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rondo British  

/ ˈrɒndəʊ /

noun

1. a piece of music in which a refrain is repeated between episodes: often constitutes the form of the last movement of a sonata or concerto

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• rondos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rondo

1790–1800; < Italian < French rondeau; see rondel

Example Sentences

The passage is over before you know it, whisked back to a spirited rondo, but it epitomizes the piece’s — and its composer’s — mixing of the jovial and aching.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2022

A bulldozer of a scherzo intensified what was a lingering menace, and the fourth movement rondo released it from its cage.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2022

In training at Alavés, when Bojan and Munir El Haddadi are put in the same rondo, the club captain shouts: “Look out, there are four Champions Leagues in here,” Bojan says with a grin.

From The Guardian • May 18, 2018

The song was a rudimentary rondo, single half notes for treble and bass.

From US News • Apr. 27, 2015

And hybrid forms, like the sonata rondo, can become popular with some composers.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones