Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Alla siciliana

by John Weeks Moore

Alla siciliana. (I.) This expression implies a certain species of air generally written in 6-8 or 12-8, though sometimes in 6-4. Its principal characteristics are, its being in a somewhat low time, and chiefly moving by alternate crotchets and quavers, if in 6-8 or 12-8; and in minims and crotchets, if in 6-4; in either case, uniformly having the longest note at the theses, or points of accentuation.