What is the term for the Italian word meaning "jest" or "joke" often used in music composition?

The term you are looking for is indeed the word often used in music composition meaning "jest" or "joke," which is "scherzo." This term originated from the Italian word "scherzare," meaning "to joke." In musical contexts, a scherzo is typically a lively, fast-paced piece that is often included as a movement in a sonata or symphony, serving as a playful interlude.

The playful nature of the scherzo contrasts with more serious sections of a composition and is characterized by its spirited rhythms and often whimsical thematic material. Many classical composers, including Beethoven and Mendelssohn, made significant use of the scherzo in their works, elevating it from a mere playful interlude to a substantive movement in its own right.

In contrast, the other choices do not carry the same connotation. "Minuet" refers to a slow, stately dance, "lied" refers to a German song typically for voice and piano, often with romantic themes, and "rubato" pertains to a flexible tempo, where the performer may take liberties in rhythm, rather than conveying humor or jest. Thus, "scherzo" is the term that directly aligns with the concept of jest or joke in