rhapsodia
Rhapsodia refers to a musical form and compositional technique that originated in medieval and Renaissance Europe. The term derives from the Greek word *rhapsoidia*, meaning "a song sung by a rapsode," which in turn comes from *rhaptein*, meaning "to sew together." In music, a rhapsody is a free-form piece that combines elements of different styles, often blending lyrical and virtuosic sections. Unlike structured forms such as sonatas or symphonies, rhapsodies typically exhibit a more improvisatory or loosely connected structure, allowing for expressive freedom.
The concept gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly through the works of Hungarian composer Franz
Beyond Liszt, the term has been used more broadly to describe extended, programmatic works in various genres.