A reprise is a musical term that designates a piece of musical material that contains repetition. This phenomenon contributes to the balance and integrity of the form.
Definition
Next, let's talk more about what a reprise is. Examples of this phenomenon can be found in works of the XVII-XVIII centuries, in particular the aria of Da capo. In the XVIII-XX centuries. Similar forms have spread widely in vocal as well as instrumental music. As an example, we can consider sonata-symphonic cycles, plays, songs, arias and romances.
Reprise is a musical term that is of French origin. Literally it can be translated as "renewal" or "repetition". A reprise is changed and accurate. In the case of the former, we are talking about some kind of transformation of musical material, which must be repeated. Change can be thematic, timbre, textured, tonal-harmonious.
The reprise, which continues the intensive development of the previous section and exceeds the original presentation of the musical material by expression, is called dynamized. Also, it is false if it precedes the genuine. In this case, we are talking about the reproduction of the initial material with a non-principal tonality.
Other interpretations
According to the dictionary of foreign words, reprise is not only a musical concept. For example, the so-called repeated attack in fencing. If we are talking about the stage or the circus, this term can be used to designate a stage trick or comic remarks. According to the historical dictionary of the Gallicisms, the so-called accessories necessary for playing in the "Mediator" are called. This interpretation refers to the obsolete. The dictionary of synonyms compares with the term we are interested in the following concepts: impact, renewal, number, trick, replica, repetition, sketch, miniature. Let us turn to the next source. This term is also found in the dictionary of business terms. It says that a reprise is an increase in the rate of certain securities, which compensates for the previous fall. However, the main thing is still musical.
How to write a reprise
Now let's talk a bit about musical notation and see how this phenomenon manifests itself in practice and how to identify it. To repeat a single piece of music or the whole work, you must enclose it in a reprise, using a special sign. It should be noted that the part indicated in this way should not be less than a whole cycle. If you want to repeat the repetition without changes, a reprise sign is written. When the end of the work is transformed, a horizontal square bracket is used. It is called "volta". It must be supplemented with the number 1. Next, we write the measures to be applied during the repetition. Above it we represent a sign of the volta, supplemented with the number 2. According to the author's intention, there may be several variants of the end of the work. The same number you need to use and signs of reprise. Let's move on to practice. A reprise is a double stroke in a musical notation. It is complemented by two points between the second and fourth lines.