Pastorale - Musical Definition

Pastorale - Pastoral Style. Music in this style evokes the countryside, often by the use of a droning bass and/or simple melodies that move in thirds. Examples include the fourth movement of Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Op. 6 No. 8 and the Pastoral Symphony from Handel’s Messiah.
Handel Pastoral Symphony from Messiah


The term may also be used describe a larger piece of music that evokes the countryside, as in Beethoven’s Symphony No.6 Pastorale.


Sheet Music examples where the term 'Pastorale'   is used: