Obbligato

Noun

obbligato, obligato

1. (music): part of the score that must be played as written; a required part
2. (music): an elaborate or flowery countermelody , often written to be played or sung above the principal theme (in a higher pitch range). Frequently includes a repetitive motif.

   John Philip Sousa's The Stars and Stripes Forever includes a famous piccolo obligato.

See also