Cadenza

Cadenza, an ornamental flourish introduced by a soloist towards the close of a piece of music or a section of one. It is either written by the composer himself, or left to the executant; and in its more extended development, affords the latter an opportunity of displaying his powers. Remarkable instances of improvised cadenzas by both vocal and instrumental performers are on record, but they are now generally written out in full. The best cadenzas are constructed from themes already heard in the course of the work.