ricercar

American  

[ree-cher-kahr] / ˌri tʃərˈkɑr /

Also ricercata

noun

1. Music. a chiefly polyphonic instrumental form of the 16th and 17th centuries closely resembling the vocal motet in structure and style.

2. a composition, especially for a keyboard instrument, having this form.

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Etymology

Origin of ricercar

First recorded in 1780–90; apocopated variant of ricercare

Example Sentences

This six-part ricercar is still, to this day, considered by musicians and composers the greatest, most complex feat of counterpoint of all time.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

But not as amazed as when the king received, a few weeks later, a written-out fugue, or ricercar, based on the supposedly impossible theme, this time in six parts.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall