Expression
Directions for mood, feeling, and interpretive character.
34 terms
Ad LibitumexpressionAt the performer's discretion; freely.AffettuosoexpressionWith affection and tenderness.AgitatoexpressionAgitated; restless and anxious in character.AmorosoexpressionLovingly, with tenderness and warm affection in the performanceAnimatoexpressionAnimated, with life and spirit.AppassionatoexpressionWith passion; performed with intense emotional fervour.BrillanteexpressionBrilliantly, with sparkle and virtuosity.CalandoexpressionDecreasing in both volume and tempo; winding down.CantabileexpressionIn a singing style; lyrical and flowing.Con animaexpressionWith soul and spirited feeling, bringing life and energy to the musicCon brioexpressionWith spirit; performed with vigour and brilliance.Con fuocoexpressionWith fire; performed with passionate intensity.Con graziaexpressionWith grace, elegance, and refined poise in the performanceCon motoexpressionWith motion; with movement.DolceexpressionSweetly; with a gentle, tender quality.DolorosoexpressionSorrowfully, with grief.EnergicoexpressionWith energy and force.EspressivoexpressionExpressively; with deep feeling and emotion.FuriosoexpressionFuriously, with wild intensity and passionate rage in the playingGiocosoexpressionPlayfully, joyfully, with humour.GraziosoexpressionGracefully, with elegance.LacrimosoexpressionTearfully, with a weeping, sorrowful quality throughout the passageLeggieroexpressionLightly, delicately.LusingaexpressionCoaxingly, with a flattering and persuasive sweetness in the toneMaestosoexpressionMajestic; with grandeur and dignity.MestoexpressionSadly, mournfully.MisteriosoexpressionMysteriously, with an air of mystery.PateticoexpressionPathetically, with deep feeling and emotional suffering expressed through the mu…ReligiosoexpressionIn a devout, reverent manner suggesting prayer or sacred contemplationRisolutoexpressionResolutely, with determination.ScherzandoexpressionPlayfully — a direction to perform the current passage with humour and witScherzosoexpressionPlayful in character — describing the overall mood rather than a specific passag…TeneramenteexpressionTenderly, with gentle delicacy and emotional warmth in every phraseTranquilloexpressionTranquil; calm and peaceful.
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