Glossary

Rallentando/Rall.
Italian for 'slow down'
Realisation
The completion of a harmony by playing music corresponding to the indications in Figured Bass. See also 'Basso Continuo'
Recapitulation
The third section of a piece of music in Sonata Form, where the first section (the 'Exposition') is repeated, or imitated very closely
Recital
A concert given by one or two performers
Recitative
A narrative style of solo singing used in Opera and Oratorio, characterised by a free rhythm. There are two types of recitative: 'Accompagnato' ('accompanied'), which is accompanied by the orchestra, and 'Secco' ('dry'), which is punctuated by occasional short chords from the Continuo (keyboard and cello)
Refrain
A recurring section of song found between verses. Also referred to as a Chorus
Register
The range of a voice or instrument, or the set of pipes operated by one stop on an organ
Repeat
An instruction to repeat a section of music (i.e. play it again without a break) is marked by a set of dots and a double bar-line
Repetiteur
The person who coaches singers in learning their music, particularly in an Opera House. Also occasionally used of the person who plays the piano during rehearsals in lieu of a full orchestra
Resolution
The progression from a discord to a concord
Responses
A Plainchant sung by a chorus in response to alternating solo verses
Rest
A silence indicated in a performer's music by symbols corresponding to the number of beats he should not play for. Also used of the symbols indicating this
Rhapsody
A title used by some 19th and 20th century composers to describe single pieces which describe some heroic or grandiose inspiration
Ripieno
The whole orchestra in a 'Concerto Grosso', as opposed to the group of soloists (the 'Concertino')
Ritardando/Rit.
Italian for 'slow down'
Ritenuto
Same as 'Ritardando'
Ritornello
An Italian term meaning 'a little return', and having many uses, including a section of a concerto without the soloist, the end section of a 14th century Italian Madrigal, and an instrumental movement in an early Opera
Roll
A rapid series of notes on a drum, imitating a sustained note
Romance
A loose title, often referring to a romantic or intimate piece of music
Rondeau
A French song of the Medieval period with a choral refrain
Rondo
A form in which one section of music is repeated, or closely imitated, alternately with contrasting sections, in the plan: A, B, A, C, A, D, etc.
Root
The lowest note of a chord, or the one upon which the chord is based. A chord with its fundamental note at the bottom is said to be in 'root position'
Round
See 'Infinite Canon'
Rubato
Italian for 'robbed', and meaning the controlled use of slowing down and speeding up in during the performance of music in order to aid expression
Rumba
A fast, syncopated Afro-Cuban dance in 2/4 time