Capriccio

What it means

Capriccio (Italian for “whim” or “fancy”) denotes an instrumental piece that does not follow any fixed form. Instead of a predetermined course, the composer's free imagination shapes the piece: themes change abruptly, tempo and character can shift suddenly, and surprising turns are a deliberate feature of the design rather than a deviation from it.

Because the capriccio has no fixed form but describes an attitude, individual works bearing this title can differ widely from one another. What they usually share is a virtuosic, playful streak and a certain brevity.

Musical use

In the 16th and 17th centuries, capriccio was a title for elaborate, often contrapuntal instrumental pieces that blended elements of the fugue, the fantasia, and the ricercar while deliberately bending the rules of strict counterpoint. From the 19th century on, the term shifted toward shorter, mostly virtuosic character pieces, frequently for solo piano or for a solo instrument with orchestra, in which shifting moods and technical brilliance take center stage.

The capriccio should be distinguished from the fantasia: both are formally free, but the fantasia leans toward an improvisatory, dreamlike character, while the capriccio aims at wit, surprise, and playful virtuosity. It differs from the étude in that the étude primarily addresses a technical problem, whereas the capriccio is chiefly concerned with musical expression, even though both genres can be technically demanding.

Performance practice

Take the mood changes in a capriccio seriously and lean into them rather than smoothing them over — the piece's effect depends on its contrasts. Practice quick shifts of tempo and character separately so they feel effortless in context, and play even technically demanding passages with a certain lightness rather than audible strain.