Ritornello

Ritornello is a short return or repetition; a concluding symphony to an air, often consisting of the burden of the song. Or a short intermediate symphony, or instrumental passage, in the course of a vocal piece; an interlude.

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In Baroque music, Ritornello was the word for a recurring passage for orchestra in the first or final movement of a solo concerto. There was a passage for a solo instrument, usually the violin, between each ritornello. The most prolific Baroque composer in solo concertos was Antonio Vivaldi. When the classical music era started, the ritornello form was altered to resemble sonata form. The piano replaced the violin as the most frequently used solo instrument.

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The final section of the fourteenth century madrigal was also called the ritornello.

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Symphony: A symphony is an extended piece of music usually for orchestra and comprising several movements....

Interlude: An interlude ("between play") is:...

Baroque music: Baroque music is European classical music written during the Baroque era, approximately 1600 to 1750. This era occurred after the Renaissance and before the Classical music era. Baroque music forms a major portion of the classical music canon and is widely performed and enjoyed....