A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Stretto

STRETTO (Ital.), literally 'close' or 'narrow.' A term used in two ways. Firstly in Fugue, where it designates the following of response to subject at a closer interval of time than at first. This device is usually employed towards the end of a fugue, so as to give some impression of climax. But there are plenty of exceptions to that custom; e.g.

Bach 48, No. 1.

which occurs close to the beginning. Some subjects will bear more than one stretto, in which case the closer naturally comes last; e.g.

from the 'Amen' chorus of Handel's 'Messiah.' (The inner parts are omitted for the sake of clearness.) Still more remarkable instances will be found in the fugue of Bach's Toccata in D minor.

2. The second use of the word occurs more especially in Italian opera, when towards the end of a piece the time is quickened, bringing the accents closer together. Thus the title might be, and sometimes is, applied to the last prestissimo of the Choral Symphony. It is sometimes used, but quite wrongly, as a direction equivalent to accelerando, instead of in its proper sense of più mosso.

[ F. C. ]