Music. [It.; see CADENCE.] A flourish of indefinite form given to a solo voice or instrument at the close of a movement, or between two divisions of a movement. (Sometimes called cadence: the use of the Italian word is designed to differentiate the two.)
[1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Cadenza Sfuggita, in the Italian music.]
1836. Penny Cycl., VI. 100/1. Formerly the Cadenza was, by Italian as well as English singers, considered indispensable…. The French never admitted it.
1879. Parry, in Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 294/1. The cadenza usually starts from a pause on a chord of 6–4 on the dominant, preparatory to the final close of the movement, and its object is to show off the skill of the performer…. It was formerly customary to leave the cadenzas for improvisation.
