Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
passacaglia
Noun
/ˌpæsəˈkɑːl.jə/
Definition
A musical form consisting of variations over a ground bass, often characterized by a slow tempo and a somber mood.
Examples
- The composer wrote a stunning passacaglia that captured the audience’s attention.
- In her performance, she skillfully adorned the passacaglia with intricate variations.
- The passacaglia’s haunting melody lingered in the hall long after the performance ended.
Meaning
Passacaglia is a type of music that repeats a bass line while variations are played on top of it, creating a rich and layered sound.
Synonyms
- Ground bass
- Theme and variations
- Chaconne
