A cadenza is a showyimpressively attractive or flashy, meant to catch attention soloperformed by one person alone passage in a piece of music, usually near the end. It gives the performer a chance to display skill and expression, often with a freer, more improvisedcreated spontaneously without being fully prepared beforehand feel.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /kə-DEN-zə/
Easy pronunciation: kuh-DEN-zuh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable.
Music sense: a showy solo passage near the end of a piece.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Cadenza Meaning
A showy solo part near the end of a musical piece.
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A brilliant solo passage occurring near the end of a piece of music.
Example: The pianist played a dazzling cadenza before the orchestra came back in.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- solo passage — A strong general substitute for this musical sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Cadenza Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- solo passage
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse cadenza with cadence. A cadence is a musical closing or pause, not a solo showpiece.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cadenza mean in music?
It means a brilliant solo passage, usually near the end of a piece, where the performer plays alone and often shows technical skill.
What is a simple synonym for cadenza?
A good simple synonym is solo passage.
Is cadenza the same as cadence?
No. Cadenza is a solo musical passage, while cadence usually refers to rhythm, phrasing, or a closing musical movement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.