tempo marking
A word or phrase indicating the speed at which a piece should be performed.
In Depth
Tempo markings are predominantly Italian, reflecting the language's historical dominance in musical terminology. They range from gravissimo (extremely slow) through largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, vivace, and presto to prestissimo (extremely fast). Each marking conveys not just a speed but a character.
Some composers rebelled against Italian tempo markings. Mahler wrote markings in German, Debussy in French, and Bartók preferred precise metronome numbers. Beethoven embraced the newly invented metronome but also used expressive Italian markings. Modern practice often combines both: Allegro vivace (♩= 160) gives both the character and the exact speed.
Debussy famously wrote his tempo markings as poetic descriptions in French rather than Italian: Modéré, sans lenteur (Moderate, without slowness) or Comme un tendre et triste regret (Like a tender and sad regret).