What does the term 'martellato' imply in the context of performance?

The term 'martellato' refers to a specific style of playing in music that conveys the idea of strongly accented, hammered notes. This technique involves a forceful articulation where the notes are played with an emphasis that resembles striking or hammering, which gives them a distinct and pronounced character.

In orchestral performance, for example, when a musician employs martellato, they articulate the notes sharply, allowing them to stand out in the texture of the music. This approach contrasts with other articulations that might be lighter or more fluid, lending a robust, energetic quality to the passage being performed.

The other options represent different musical concepts that do not align with the definition of 'martellato.' For instance, light and nimble style describes a more delicate and agile articulation, while marked or stressed could imply a variety of emphatic styles without the specific connotation of a 'hammered' action. A return to normal register describes a vocal or instrumental technique unrelated to the notion of accentuation present in martellato.