Definition of the French term cantilène in music:
- lyrical and melodious melody
- the melody part in a vocal composition (usually the top part)
- polyphonic song not based on a cantus firmus (from around 1200-1500)
- singing exercise
French musical terms related to cantilène:
- aubade – aubade (morning love song)
- aube – dawn, sunrise...
- ballade – ballad (instrumental piece often based on a poem)...
- barcarolle – barcarole (Venetian gondolier's song, usually in 6...
- berceuse – lullaby, cradle song...
- bergerette – young shepherdess...
- brunette – brunette (French song form popular in the late 17t...
- cavatina – short song of simple character...
- doumka – genre of Slavic folk songs
- epicède – epicedium (funeral song or ode)
- hymne – hymn (song of praise)
- napolitain – Neapolitan (of or relating to Naples)...
- pastourelle – shepherdess...
- récitatif – recitative (solo song in a dramatic work where the...
- villanelle – villanella (generic term for various popular songs...
