Definition

Noun: A piece of music that has been created; a complete, original work of music. It refers to the artistic creation itself, encompassing its structure, melody, harmony, and rhythm.

Usage

This term is used to refer to a specific, finished piece of music, regardless of its length or complexity. It emphasizes the work as a created artifact, often written down in musical notation.

Examples

• Beethoven's is a famous musical composition.
• The composer spent a year working on her latest musical composition.
• The library has a vast collection of original musical compositions from the 18th century.

Advanced Usage

• "Opus" (Op.): Often used in conjunction with "musical composition" to denote a numbered work in a composer's catalogue.
  • His first published musical composition was labeled Opus 1.

Variants and Related Words

• Composition (n): A shorter, more general form often used interchangeably with "musical composition."
• Piece (n): A common, informal synonym for a musical composition.
• Work (n): A broad term that can refer to a musical composition, especially in formal contexts (e.g., "the complete works of Bach").
• Opus (n): A single work or set of works by a composer, typically numbered.
• Score (n): The written or printed form of a musical composition showing all parts.

Synonyms

• Piece
• Work
• Opus
• Arrangement (specifically refers to an adaptation of an existing composition)

Antonyms

• Improvisation (music created spontaneously, not a pre-written composition)
• Silence

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To compose a musical composition: The act of creating the work.
  • She composed the musical composition while living in Paris.

Noun

1. a musical work that has been created
   • the composition is written in four movements