What is a coda in music?

A coda in music serves as a concluding section that brings a piece to its end. This term comes from the Italian word meaning "tail," and functions to provide closure, summarizing or reiterating themes or motifs presented earlier in the composition. The coda may also introduce new material, but it often revisits familiar elements, offering a resolution that reinforces the work's overall structure and emotional journey.

While other choices reference different aspects of musical construction, they do not accurately define what a coda accomplishes within a composition. The introductory section mentioned in the first option refers to the beginning of a piece, setting up themes rather than concluding them. A transitional phrase between sections guides the music from one part to another, but that is not the role of a coda. Lastly, a repeated theme throughout the composition suggests an ongoing motif rather than a definitive ending, which is specifically what the coda represents. Thus, the concluding role of the coda is essential for rounding out the musical narrative.