cadenzas

A cadenza is a self-contained, virtuosic solo passage within a concerto or similar work, designed to showcase the solo instrument's technical and expressive capabilities. It is typically placed near the end of a movement, just before the final orchestral cadence, and may be performed in a freely rubato or quasi-improvised manner before returning to the orchestra for the closing section.

Historically, cadenzas originated in the Baroque era as improvised flourishes by the performer, drawing on the movement’s material. As concert repertoire evolved, composers began to notate cadenzas or leave spaces for the performer to improvise. In the Classical period, composers such as Mozart and, later, Beethoven sometimes supplied cadenzas in the score, though performers often continued to invent or embellish cadenzas in performance. In the Romantic era, cadenzas grew longer and more elaborate, reflecting greater emphasis on virtuosic display. In the 19th and 20th centuries, editors and performers frequently provided written cadenzas, or offered options, while some composers preferred improvisatory freedom within specified harmonic boundaries.

Function and practice vary by repertoire. Cadenzas serve as a moment of individuality and interpretive contrast within a movement, allowing the soloist to explore technical extremes and expressive ideas. They may be fully written-out by the composer, carefully edited by editors, or improvised by the performer, depending on the period and the work’s performance practice. Modern performances often include a written cadenza, with performers occasionally choosing alternative cadenzas or improvising anew, guided by historical context and the composer’s instructions. Notable examples appear in many concertos by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and other Romantic and modern composers.