A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Alla Breve

by Ebenezer Prout

ALLA BREVE (Ital.). Originally a species of time in which every bar contained a breve, or four minims; hence its name. In this time, chiefly used in the older church music, the minims, being the unit of measurement, were to be taken fast, somewhat like crotchets in ordinary time. This time was also called Alla Capella. Modern alla breve time simply differs from ordinary common time by being always beaten or counted with two minims (and not with four crotchets) in the bar, and therefore is really quick common time. It is indicated in the time-signature by , i. e. the which is used to show four-crotchet time, with a stroke drawn through it.

[ E. P. ]