Acciaccatura
Italian era
Definition
A crushed dissonance added to a chord in Baroque keyboard music, particularly idiomatic in Scarlatti's sonatas and the works of Francesco Geminiani. The added note is released immediately, creating a sharp expressive clash.
Interpretive Guidance
Strike the chord with the added tone but release it instantly, leaving only the harmonic notes to sound. On the harpsichord the effect is a percussive snap; on the modern piano a light, immediate release preserves the Baroque character.