A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Andante

by Ebenezer Prout

ANDANTE (Ital., participle of the verb andare, ' to go'). Going, moving along at a moderate pace. In modern music this word is chiefly used to designate a rather slow rate of movement; formerly however it was used more generally in its literal sense. Thus in Handel's music we frequently find the indication 'andante allegro,' a contradiction in terms in the modern sense of the words, but by which is simply meant 'moving briskly.' Andante is a quicker rate of movement than larghetto, but on the other hand is slower than allegretto. As with most other time-indications it is frequently modified in meaning by the addition of other words, e. g. 'andante sostenuto' would be a little slower, and 'andante un poco allegretto' or 'andante con moto' a trifle faster, than 'andante' alone. Like adagio, largo, etc., this word is also used as the name of a piece of music (e. g. Beethoven's 'Andante in F') or as the name of a slow movement of a symphony, sonata, etc.

[ E. P. ]