tempo di valse
In Depth
Tempo di valse means in waltz tempo — a lilting triple meter (3/4 time) with a characteristic ONE-two-three emphasis pattern. The tempo is moderate to fast, typically between 100 and 180 BPM for the dotted half note, depending on the style of waltz. The waltz tempo has a distinctive lilt created by a strong downbeat followed by two lighter beats. Viennese waltzes (Strauss) tend to be faster and more energetic, while slower waltzes have a more romantic, swaying character. The instruction appears in non-waltz pieces when the composer wants a passage to adopt a waltz-like feel temporarily.
At the height of waltz mania in 1820s Vienna, there were over 400 dance halls in the city — roughly one for every 500 residents.
Related Terms
More in Tempo
Browse alla tempo
Return to the original tempo after a deviation.
accelerando
A gradual increase in tempo.
adagio
A slow, leisurely tempo, typically 66-76 BPM.
agitato
Agitated; restless and hurried in character.
alla breve
Cut time; two half-note beats per measure, giving a faster feel.
allegretto
A moderately fast tempo, slightly slower than allegro.
allegro
A fast, lively tempo, typically 120-156 BPM.
andante
A walking pace tempo, typically 76-108 BPM.