A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Spondee

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A Dictionary of Music and Musicians
edited by George Grove

Spondee

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3890065A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — Spondee

SPONDEE (Lat. Spondæus). A metrical foot, consisting of two long syllables (— —), the first of which is enforced by an accent.

The effect of the Spondee is well illustrated in Handel's 'Waft her, Angels.'

${ \relative f' { \key g \major \time 3/4 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \autoBeamOff fis8^"—" g^"— |" a^"—" fis^"— |" b cis | d4 } \addlyrics { Glo -- rious there like you to rise. } }$

It is also frequently employed in Instrumental Movements, as in the Third Subject of the Rondo of Beethoven's 'Sonata pathétique.'

${ \relative c' { \key c \minor \time 4/4 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f c2^"—" f^"—" \mark \markup "|" bes,^"—" ees^"—" \mark \markup "|" s8_"etc." } }$

For instances of its employment in combination with other feet, see Metre.

[ W. S. R. ]

A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Spondee

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