Cadenza, derived from the Italian word “cadence,” designates a segment within a musical performance, typically a concert, where the orchestra ceases its play, allowing the soloist to perform independently, unrestrained by a strict rhythmic pattern.

This solo passage, known to as a cadenza typically showcases the most ornate and virtuosic passage performed by the solo instrument throughout the composition. As the cadenza concludes, the orchestra resumes its presence, often bringing the movement to its culmination.