| Musical term for repeating a theme - using different instruments?

Musical term for repeating a theme - using different instruments?

Nate Q. asked:


It’s a powerful way of writing music… mainly classical, where there’s a particular theme that comes up - let’s say the string section plays it. Then later on when you’ve all but forgotten about it, the theme comes back - but this time played by a bassoon & some wood instruments. It’s a very successful technique. Can you help me remember it?

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Comments

4 Responses to “Musical term for repeating a theme - using different instruments?”

  1. relaxin on April 23rd, 2009 2:59 am

    Maybe you’re talking about certain elements of “Sonata Allegro” form

    Both “Exposition” and “Recapitulation” would fit your description. Instrumentation varies from piece to piece and can make development of a musical idea obvious or subtle depending on the composers wishes.

    The other term that might be associated with your description is “Ritornello”

  2. Marlowe L on April 26th, 2009 8:24 am

    I would suggest:
    Motif
    Fugue
    Cannon
    or maybe Round.

  3. Ryan K on April 28th, 2009 9:16 pm

    Most of the people above me are listing forms of music that incorporate this concept. Meanwhile, you are looking for the concept right? The most common term for what you are describing is a recapitulation. Generally, a recapitulation a previously stated theme, but it is quite often used in a very different context or with different orchestration. Mahler was a master of this.

  4. michanso@att.net on May 2nd, 2009 2:44 am

    I think everyone so far is missing the point.

    When a theme comes back with a different instrumentation, it might be called “re-orchestration” or just “orchestration.”