Ostinato

Ostinato is an Italian word that means "stubborn" and is a short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated throughout an entire composition or some portion of a composition.<br><br>A famous type of ostinato, called the Rossini crescendo, owes its name to a crescendo that underlies a persistent musical pattern, which usually culminates in a solo vocal cadenza. This style was emulated by other bel canto composers, especially Vincenzo Bellini; and later by Wagner (in pure instrumental terms, discarding the closing vocal cadenza).<br><br>"I Feel Love" by Donna Summer and the poular spy theme song "Peter Gunn" by Henry Mancini are excellent examples of modern ostinato.<br>