obbligato

  1. Noun.  (music) A part of the score that must be played as written; a required part.
  2. Noun.  (music) An elaborate or flowery countermelody, often written to be played or sung above the principal theme (in a higher pitch range). Frequently includes a repetitive motif.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.