Which term describes a sudden strong accent in music?

The term that describes a sudden strong accent in music is “sforzando.” This term is a directive for musicians to play a note or chord with an emphasis that is much stronger than the surrounding notes. It is essentially a powerful, accented articulation that creates an immediate impact in the musical phrase, drawing the listener's attention to the specific note or chord being played.

While terms like rinforzando and forzando also indicate a form of emphasis or strong accent, they often imply a more gradual buildup or a less immediate emphasis compared to sforzando. Rinforzando typically suggests a reinforcement of volume, while forzando can be seen as an emphasis that might not be as abrupt. The term “con brio” refers to playing with spirit or vigor, which is a different character entirely, focusing more on the energy of the performance rather than a sudden or isolated accent. Thus, “sforzando” is the most precise term for indicating a sudden strong accent in music.