spiritoso

dynamicsspee-ree-TOH-zofrom Italian

A performance direction meaning with spirit, liveliness, and animated energy‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌

In Depth

Spiritoso calls for a lively, spirited performance that is full of vitality without being aggressive.‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌ The character is bright and extroverted, the rhythms should bounce, and the articulation should be crisp and clear. It implies a positive, confident mood — the energy of celebration rather than conflict. The term was common in 18th-century music and often appears in finales and fast dance movements.

Did you know?

Handel used spiritoso in many of his instrumental works, reflecting the confident energy of the Baroque concerto style.