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Dictionary definitions of '''rhapsody''' would include: “an exaggerated feeling of pleasure or enthusiasm; an exaltation” and “a piece of poetry or prose of particularly acute feeling, and generally irregular rhythm, suitable for reading aloud, such as parts of [[Homer]]”. The word itself comes from the [[Greek]] for a recital of epic poetry.

Dictionary definitions of '''rhapsody''' would include: “an exaggerated feeling of pleasure or enthusiasm; an exaltation, or some other deep emotion” and “a piece of poetry or prose of particularly acute feeling, and generally irregular rhythm, suitable for reading aloud, such as parts of [[Homer]]”. The word itself comes from the [[Greek]] for a recital of epic poetry.

In music, a rhapsody can be all or any of this in musical form.

In music, a rhapsody can be all or any of this in musical form.

[[Brahms]] would have none of this - his ''Rhapsodies'' for the piano, notably the Opus 79 pair, have not a hint of folk or statement place, but are rhapsodic in their ebullience, and are music affectionately written for music’s sake, as was Brahms’ wont. At the other end of both the musical and emotional spectrum is Brahms’ “''Alto Rhapsody''” for contralto, male chorus, and orchestra. To a text by [[Goethe]], it concerns a man’s plea for release from the pain of regret of a life lived wrongfully and is as deeply emotional as anything Brahms ever wrote.

[[Brahms]] would have none of this - his ''Rhapsodies'' for the piano, notably the Opus 79 pair, have not a hint of folk or statement place, but are rhapsodic in their ebullience, and are music affectionately written for music’s sake, as was Brahms’ wont. At the other end of both the musical and emotional spectrum is Brahms’ “''Alto Rhapsody''” for contralto, male chorus, and orchestra. To a text by [[Goethe]], it concerns a man’s plea for release from the pain of regret of a life lived wrongfully and is as deeply emotional as anything Brahms ever wrote.

Of the two most well known rhapsodies, one is a set of variations on an old and ubiquitous musical phrase and, like many rhapsodies, could just as aptly be called a [[fantasia]] or [[capriccio]]; and the other can be described as “crossover music”.

Of the two most well known classical rhapsodies, one is a set of variations on an old and ubiquitous musical phrase and, like many rhapsodies, could just as aptly be called a [[fantasia]] or [[capriccio]]; and the other can be described as “crossover music”.

*[[Sergei Rachmaninov]]’s “''Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini''” is near the top of the piano concertante repertoire – there would be few people in the western world who are not familiar with the “slow movement”, even if they are not aware of its source.  

*[[Sergei Rachmaninov]]’s “''Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini''” is near the top of the piano concertante repertoire – there would be few people in the western world who are not familiar with the “slow movement”, even if they are not aware of its source.  

*[[George Gershwin]]’s “''[[Rhapsody in Blue]]''”, was written for piano and jazz-band and orchestrated by Ferde Groffe (of “Grande Canyon Suite” fame.) It has elements of both jazz and classical, seemingly sliding between the two, but is no less wonderful for that.

*[[George Gershwin]]’s “''[[Rhapsody in Blue]]''”, was written for piano and jazz-band and orchestrated by Ferde Groffe (of “Grande Canyon Suite” fame.) It has elements of both jazz and classical, seemingly sliding between the two, but is no less wonderful for that.

[[Category: Musical terms]]

[[Category: Musical terms]]