nobilmente

dynamicsno-BEEL-men-tayfrom Italian

A performance direction meaning nobly, with dignity and stately bearing‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌

In Depth

Nobilmente is particularly associated with English music and the work of Edward Elgar, who used it as a near-personal motto.‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌ It calls for a broad, dignified performance with warm but restrained emotion, a sense of moral seriousness, and unhurried phrasing. The tone should be rich and singing, the rhythm steady without rigidity, and the dynamic range full but never harsh. It represents an ideal of music as the expression of character rather than mere display.

Did you know?

Elgar marked the famous Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 trio nobilmente e semplice — it became so associated with him that it is sometimes called his signature direction.