Interlude

Interlude, in Music, is a short melodious phrase played by the organist (generally extempore) between the verses of a psalm or hymn tune. It is now in disuse in England. In French cathedrals a long interlude is played between the verses of the Magnificat. In the German Protestant Church an interlude (Zwischenspiel) is often played between each line of the verse. Examples of its artistic use may be found in Mendelssohn's Elijah ('Cast thy burthen') and St Paul ('Sleepers, wake').