A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cantilena

CANTILENA—etymologically, a little song. This term was formerly applied to the upper or solo part of a madrigal; also to a small cantata or any short piece for one voice. At the present time the term is employed in instrumental music to denote a flowing melodious phrase of a vocal character; or, to indicate the smooth rendering of slow expressive passages. It is also sometimes used as a substitute for Cantabile.

[ A. H. W. ]