Rondo
/ˈrɒn.doʊ/noun
A musical form with a recurring main theme alternating with contrasting sections.
Did you know?Rondo comes from the French rondeau, a medieval lyric and musical form built around a “little round” refrain, ultimately from the idea of something circular.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ret-
“to run, roll, or turn”
Latin
Latin
rotundus
“round, circular”
Old French
Old French
rondel / rondeau
“a small round thing; a circular refrain or lyric form”
Italian
Italian
rondo
“a musical piece with a recurring refrain”
English
English
rondo
“a composition with a recurring principal theme”