Word: libitum
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Dates: during 1940-1940
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...only did Handel introduce many decorative passages, but in many places he supplied a figured bass, leaving the interpretation to the soloist. Then he went still further by putting a pause at a given point in the music over the rest in the accompaniment, with the words, "Organun ad Libitum" which meant that the player was free to improvise. This was one of the first attempts at the development of the cadenza. Both of Handel's concertos which are to be played on Tuesday night are subtitled, "For organ and harpsichord." This perhaps explains why there seems...