toccata
noun
toc·ca·ta tə-ˈkä-tə 
: a musical composition usually for organ or harpsichord in a free style and characterized by full chords, rapid runs, and high harmonies
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Harpsichordist Esfahani applies meticulous scholarship to this process yet has produced a vivid recording built on animated performances appropriate to the toccata form. 
Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 27 Nov. 2019 The knock-’em-dead toccata that ends the concerto represents a festive winter solstice gathering of Guarani ethnic groups who cover vast swaths of South America. Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019 The grandeur of the passacaglia, the urgency of the toccata and the majesty of the chorale reminded listeners of this work’s value. Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 10 Oct. 2019 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. Coastmag, Orange County Register, 31 Mar. 2017 In short, in Carroccia’s hands Hamelin’s toccata seemed a work of art, not an exercise. Olin Chism, star-telegram.com, 27 May 2017 Then came a virtuosic performance of Hamelin’s toccata that seemed somehow kind of menacing. Olin Chism, star-telegram.com, 25 May 2017 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. Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 18 May 2017 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. Russell Platt, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2017 See More
Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 27 Nov. 2019 The knock-’em-dead toccata that ends the concerto represents a festive winter solstice gathering of Guarani ethnic groups who cover vast swaths of South America. Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019 The grandeur of the passacaglia, the urgency of the toccata and the majesty of the chorale reminded listeners of this work’s value. Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 10 Oct. 2019 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. Coastmag, Orange County Register, 31 Mar. 2017 In short, in Carroccia’s hands Hamelin’s toccata seemed a work of art, not an exercise. Olin Chism, star-telegram.com, 27 May 2017 Then came a virtuosic performance of Hamelin’s toccata that seemed somehow kind of menacing. Olin Chism, star-telegram.com, 25 May 2017 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. Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 18 May 2017 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. Russell Platt, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, from toccare to touch, from Vulgar Latin — more at touch entry 1
First Known Use
circa 1724, in the meaning defined above