passagework
noun
pas·sage·work ˈpa-sij-ˌwərk 
: a section of a musical composition characteristically unimportant thematically and consisting especially of ornamental figures
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This excellent young South Korean pianist played with fire and delicacy in equal measure, and a certain lyrical quality dominated even some of the densest passagework. 
Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 The coruscating passagework made a nice complement to Ravel’s piano writing. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2021 The performer whispers text fragments into the flute, while navigating quick leaping passagework and unconventional techniques, including pitch bends, flutter tonguing and multiphonics (two or more notes produced at once). Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 22 Sep. 2021 But faster passagework was occasionally rough-hewn. Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 16 Mar. 2021 Jackiw also dispatched acrobatic passagework with absolute control, clearly brought out each note in double and triple stops — even in rapid sections — and spun out the silkiest of legatos in the slow movement. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 9 Jan. 2021 Rainey and Hoops showcased their warm, mellifluous tones, expertly shaped songful melodies and nailed the rapid passagework. Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 11 Nov. 2020 The 26th Variation is a whirlwind of spiraling passagework that tests a pianist’s technique. Anthony Tommasini, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2020 But most interesting was the restless edge in much of the virtuoso passagework, as if Tetzlaff was impatient to discharge the fireworks and get back to weaving lyrical lines in and out of the orchestra. Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2020 See More
Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 The coruscating passagework made a nice complement to Ravel’s piano writing. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2021 The performer whispers text fragments into the flute, while navigating quick leaping passagework and unconventional techniques, including pitch bends, flutter tonguing and multiphonics (two or more notes produced at once). Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 22 Sep. 2021 But faster passagework was occasionally rough-hewn. Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 16 Mar. 2021 Jackiw also dispatched acrobatic passagework with absolute control, clearly brought out each note in double and triple stops — even in rapid sections — and spun out the silkiest of legatos in the slow movement. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 9 Jan. 2021 Rainey and Hoops showcased their warm, mellifluous tones, expertly shaped songful melodies and nailed the rapid passagework. Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 11 Nov. 2020 The 26th Variation is a whirlwind of spiraling passagework that tests a pianist’s technique. Anthony Tommasini, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2020 But most interesting was the restless edge in much of the virtuoso passagework, as if Tetzlaff was impatient to discharge the fireworks and get back to weaving lyrical lines in and out of the orchestra. Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1865, in the meaning defined above