Rondo

The Rondo ( rare French Rondeau ) is a well known since the 17th century musical form in which a recurrent form part ( called ritornello, or refrain Refrain) with other parts (usually called couplet ) alternates. The Rondo can stand on its own, but is usually a part of (set) of a cyclic work. In sonatas and solo concerts, it is often the virtuosic finale.

The Rondo evolved from the sung and danced the dance, in which the refrain was sung and danced by all, while in between each contrasting figures were executed by individuals. The shape of these songs has been adopted early by the instrumental music as " rondo ", where the formal concentration demanded a limited number of couplets.

It differs mainly three types Rondo:

• Chain Rondo
• Arc Rondo ( Rondo symmetric )
• Sonata-rondo

Chain Rondo

On the chain Rondo always new couplets (B, C, D, etc.) alternate with a recurring refrain ( A), it is possible that these are formed from the material of the chorus part, using the technique of " Fort spinning " a musical idea:

The chain Rondo is a typical baroque music rondo form.

Arc Rondo

The arc Rondo has a symmetrical layout. In framing him two corner pieces (ABA), a contrasting middle section (C):

Since the shape of the arc Rondos is typical of the Viennese classical music, it is called also classical rondo.

Sonata-rondo

A sonata-rondo is a hybrid of rondo and sonata form. If the basic scheme of the arc Rondos the couplet B for the first time, however, is in the dominant key, the second time in the tonic key to A and B behave similarly to each other as main and side set in the exposition and recapitulation of a sonata form. The contrasting middle part C then adjusts its implementation part. In addition, a sonata rondo similarly be enhanced by an introduction or a coda like a sonata.

In the music of the Romantic Rondo learns imaginative extensions, such as in Richard Strauss 's Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks.

• Musical genre
• Musical form