Definition of toccata
: a musical composition usually for organ or harpsichord in a free style and characterized by full chords, rapid runs, and high harmonies
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Recent Examples of toccata from the Web
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The sun in my eyes and the beauty of the toccata threw me back to a time when there was no light in my life, despite the brightest sun shining in Tehran’s sky.
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In short, in Carroccia’s hands Hamelin’s toccata seemed a work of art, not an exercise.
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Then came a virtuosic performance of Hamelin’s toccata that seemed somehow kind of menacing.
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On Easter Sunday last month, a nut fell off one of the rods leading to a pipe for a low F, a crucial note for a coming toccata.
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The finale starts with a motoric toccata that could have come from Bartók, then moves on to imitate an Irish jig, before adding a bit of boogie-woogie; the suave opening of the work draws from the luxe urbanity of Poulenc.
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During an early scene in the film, Blanca entertains the guests with a performance of a sprightly toccata by the 18th-century composer Paradisi.
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Origin and Etymology of toccata
Italian, from toccare to touch, from Vulgar Latin — more at 1touch
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First Known Use: circa 1724
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearTOCCATA Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of toccata for English Language Learners
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music : a piece of music for the piano or a similar instrument that is played very quickly
Learn More about toccata
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See words that rhyme with toccata Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toccata
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