Sinfonia


Sinfonia is the Italian word for symphony, from the Latin symphonia, in turn derived from Ancient Greek συμφωνία symphōnia, from the prefix σύν and ϕωνή. In English it most commonly refers to a 17th- or 18th-century orchestral piece used as an introduction, interlude, or postlude to an opera, oratorio, cantata, or suite . The word is also found in other Romance languages such as Spanish or Portuguese.
In the Middle Ages down to as late as 1588, it was also the Italian name for the hurdy-gurdy. Johann Sebastian Bach used the term for his keyboard compositions also known as Three-part Inventions, and after about 1800, the term, when in reference to opera, meant "Overture".
In George Frideric Handel's oratorio Messiah, "Overture to the Messiah" was originally titled "Sinfony".
In the 20th and 21st centuries it is found in the names of some chamber orchestras, such as the Northern Sinfonia.

Sinfonias in the vocal works by Johann Sebastian Bach

The opening movements of cantatas BWV 31 and BWV 182 are named "sonata" and the first movement of cantata BWV 106 "sonatina". Sinfonia in D major, BWV 1045 is considered a sinfonia of a lost cantata, because its manuscript indicates that the piece had four vocal parts.

Symphony with an alternative scope

Examples of such "sinfonias" composed after the classical era include: