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Orgelpunkt

pedal point

noun OR-gel-pungkt Rare
Arts & Culture Music

Also means

a sustained note held in the bass while harmonies change above it

Usage Note

Orgelpunkt (named after organ bass-pedal technique) creates a feeling of suspension or inevitability. A dominant Orgelpunkt before the recapitulation in sonata form builds intense expectation.

Examples

"Der lange Orgelpunkt auf der Dominante spannte den Bogen zur Reprise."

Natural Translation

The long pedal point on the dominant spanned the arch to the recapitulation.

Literal Translation

The long organ-point on the dominant spanned the arch to the reprise.

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