Page:Essentials in Conducting.djvu/64

VARIATION IN TEMPO

Our treatment of tempo thus far has taken cognizance of only the generalized tempo of the movement, and we have not discussed at all the much more difficult matter of variation in tempo. The more evident changes of this sort are indicated by the composer through such expressions as ritardando, accelerando, et cetera; and it may be well to give at this point a list of the commoner of these terms together with their meanings. Obviously, such indications are of two general types dealing respectively with increasing and decreasing speed, and we shall accordingly give the definitions in two classes:

Terms Indicating a More Rapid Tempo

1. A gradual acceleration
   accelerando
   affrettando
   stringendo
   poco a poco animato
2. A definitely faster tempo at once
   più allegro
   più presto
   più animato
   più mosso
   più tosto
   più stretto
   un poco animato

Terms Indicating a Slower Tempo

1. A gradual retard
   ritardando
   rallentando
   slentando
2. A definitely slower tempo at once
   più lento
   meno mosso
   ritenuto
3. A slower tempo combined with an increase in power

   largando
   allargando$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$ (literally, "becoming broad")