strepitoso
Adverb (Music):
- In a boisterous, noisy, or stormy manner: "strepitoso" is an Italian musical term used as an instruction to perform a passage with great force, energy, and a loud, turbulent quality. It conveys a sense of violent or tempestuous expression.
- Etymology: Derived from Italian "strepitoso" (noisy, boisterous), from Latin "strepitus" (noise, din).
Adjective (rare, non-musical):
- Boisterous or clamorous: Used descriptively to indicate something that is loud, tumultuous, or full of commotion.
Adverb (musical instruction):
- The composer marked the final movement "strepitoso," demanding a fierce, crashing climax from the orchestra. (The passage should be played with noisy, stormy intensity.)
- Play this chord strepitoso, as if a thunderclap were erupting from the instruments. (Execute the chord with a loud, explosive force.)
Adjective (descriptive):
- The strepitoso applause filled the concert hall after the virtuoso performance. (The applause was loud and tumultuous.)
"con strepito": An alternative Italian phrase meaning "with noise," often used interchangeably with "strepitoso" in musical scores.
- The coda was marked "con strepito," instructing the percussion section to create a chaotic, crashing sound.
In historical context: The term appears in 19th-century Romantic music, especially in operatic and symphonic works by composers like Verdi or Berlioz, to evoke dramatic, storm-like emotions.
- The overture's stretto section is played strepitoso, mirroring the turbulent plot of the opera.
Strepitous (adj, rare): An English adjective meaning noisy or boisterous, directly borrowed from Latin.
- The strepitous crowd at the carnival could be heard from blocks away. (The crowd was very loud and disorderly.)
Strepitosamente (adv, Italian): The adverbial form of "strepitoso" in Italian, used in musical contexts.
- The violins entered strepitosamente, overwhelming the quiet woodwinds. (They played in a noisy, stormy manner.)
Tempestuously: In a violent, stormy manner (closest synonym in musical terminology).
- The orchestra played the passage tempestuously, much like a strepitoso performance.
Bombastically: In a loud, exaggerated, and theatrical way (less precise but related in force).
- He delivered the speech bombastically, but the music required a more controlled strepitoso.
Dolce: Sweetly, softly — the opposite of the loud, harsh quality of strepitoso.
- The movement alternates between dolce and strepitoso passages, creating a dramatic contrast.
Piano: Softly — a dynamic instruction contrasting with the force of strepitoso.
- After the strepitoso climax, the piece ends piano, fading into silence.
"To play with abandon": To perform with unrestrained energy, similar to the spirit of strepitoso.
- The pianist played with abandon, capturing the strepitoso marking perfectly. (He played with wild, free energy.)
"To make a din": To create a loud, unpleasant noise, akin to the effect of a strepitoso passage.
- The cymbals made a din during the strepitoso section, as intended by the composer. (They produced a loud, clashing sound.)