rondo

rondo, in music, an instrumental form characterized by the initial statement and subsequent restatement of a particular melody or section, the various statements of which are separated by contrasting material. Although any piece built upon this basic plan of alternation or digression and return may be legitimately designated rondo, most rondos conform to one of two basic schemes: the five-part (abaca, with a representing the main theme) and the seven-part (abacaba). The latter is symmetrically...