performance directions (Italian grade 1-5 part 1)

Question 1

a cappella

Answer 1

Unaccompanied (referring to church music - lit. min church style’

Question 2

Accelerando, accel.

Answer 2

Gradually getting faster

Question 3

Adagietto

Answer 3

Rather slow, but faster than adagio

Question 4

Adagio

Answer 4

Slow (lit. ‘At ease), generally held to indicate a tempo between andante and largo

Question 5

a deux, a 2 (F), a due, a 2

Answer 5

Two performers or instruments (in orchestral or band music, it means that a part is to be played in unison by two instruments)

Question 6

Affettuoso

Answer 6

Tenderly

Question 7

Affrettando, affret.

Answer 7

Hurrying

Question 8

Agitato

Answer 8

Agitated

Question 9

Al, alla

Answer 9

To the, in the manner of

Question 10

Alla breve

Answer 10

With a minim beat, equivalent to 2/2 ¢; ie implying a faster tempo than the notes might otherwise suggest (see 1/2)

Question 11

A (I), `a (F)

Answer 11

At, to,by, for, in, in the style of

Question 12

Alla marcia

Answer 12

In the style of a march

Question 13

Allargando

Answer 13

Broadening, ie. Getting a little slower and probably also a little louder

Question 14

Allegretto

Answer 14

Fairly quick, but not as quick as allegro

Question 15

Allegro

Answer 15

Quick (lit. Cheerful)

Question 16

Alt

Answer 16

High (in alt is used in vocal music to refer to notes in the octave above the treble stave, starting with the G; in altissimo, in the octave above that

Question 17

Al tallone

Answer 17

See au talon (use the bow of a string instrument at the heal, ie the end held by the player

Question 18

Amabile

Answer 18

Amiable, pleasant

Question 19

Amore (I), amour (F)

Answer 19

Love

Question 20

Amoroso

Answer 20

Loving

Question 21

Andante

Answer 21

At walking pace (lit. ‘Going’), indicating a medium speed (piu andante and molto andante are somewhat slowe

Question 22

Andantino

Answer 22

Slightly faster than andante (but it can also mean slightly slower: the term is ambiguous

Question 23

Anima

Answer 23

Soul, spirit (con animal is ambiguous, meaning either with feelinf’ or ‘spirited’

Question 24

Animando

Answer 24

Becoming more lively

Question 25

Animato (I) anime (F)

Answer 25

Animated, lively