canzona francese

The term "canzona francese" refers to a genre of Italian instrumental music from the 16th and 17th centuries. It originated from the French polyphonic chanson, with early canzonas often being instrumental arrangements of these chansons. These pieces typically alternated between polyphonic and homophonic sections, and a common opening motif featured one long and two short notes of the same pitch.1

The canzona evolved into two main varieties: for keyboard and for instrumental ensemble. Keyboard canzonas were highly polyphonic and contributed to the development of the fugue. Ensemble canzonas, with their contrasting tempos and rhythms, paved the way for the trio sonata, a dominant chamber genre of the Baroque era. In later periods, the term "canzona" could also refer to a lyrical song or a songlike instrumental piece.1