Instrumental recitativeInstrumental recitative can be defined as a non periodic, free improvisatory melody, performed by a instrument. A recitative is most of the time part of an opera, a cantat, oratorio or a passion. Its basic form is as follows: 
We see here a speech like melody, i.e a melody in which the singer is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech: syllabic, declamatory, short sentences with tone repetition. The performance has to be in a free rhythm and in a tempo rubato (= a musical term referring to expressive and rhythmic freedom by a slight speeding up and then slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the performer). The recitative is also known as stile recitativo or stile rappresentativo. The same technique can be used in instrumental music. An example is Bach's Konzert III, C-Dur, BWV 594 (an arrangement of Antonio Vivaldis Concerto Op. 7/5 RV285a 'il grosso mogul'): a long undulating melody over some simple chords. 
The concept of an instrumental recitative can also be found in later works. Beethoven present us nice examples in his fifth symphony (movement 1, a solo for oboe), ninth symphony (finale, where Beethoven inscribed on the score "In the manner of a recitative, but in tempo.") and in his late string quartets (opus 130, 131 en 132). Improvisatory passages, both sonorous and ecstatically, as in his opus 130, 1 (following example). 
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