sforzando etymology

Etymology

  • Italian: sforzando, meaning "forcing" or "with force"
  • Latin: sforzare, meaning "to force" or "to exert oneself"

Meaning

  • Musical term: A dynamic marking indicating that a note or passage should be played with sudden, sforzato accentuation.

Origin

  • The term "sforzando" was first used in the early 19th century by Italian composers such as Luigi Cherubini and Vincenzo Bellini.
  • It is believed to have originated from the Italian phrase "sfogare la voce," meaning "to let out the voice" or "to vent one's anger."
  • Over time, the term was abbreviated to "sforzando" and became a standard dynamic marking in musical notation.

Usage

  • Sforzando is typically used to create emphasis or drama in a musical passage.
  • It is notated with a small "sfz" or "sforz" above or below the notehead.
  • Sforzando can be applied to individual notes, chords, or entire passages.
  • It is often combined with other dynamic markings, such as crescendo or diminuendo, to create specific musical effects.

Related Terms

  • Accent: A sudden emphasis on a note or group of notes.
  • Sforzato: A more forceful accent than sforzando.
  • Martellato: A detached, strongly accented note.

Examples

  • In Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 ("Pathétique"), the opening notes are marked "sforzando" to emphasize their dramatic entrance.
  • In Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, the sforzando accentuation of the main theme adds intensity and urgency to the music.
  • In Verdi's opera "Otello," the sforzando chords in Iago's "Credo" aria convey his anger and desperation.

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