Performance Directions

Grade 5 (ABRSM) Italian Terms

attaca go straight on to the next section of music

dolente sad, mournful
dolore grief (doloroso: sorrowful)
doppio movimento twice as fast
estinto as soft as possible, lifeless
incalzando getting quicker
lacirmoso sad
loco at the normal putch (cancel’s 8va direction)
lunga long (lunga pausa: long pause)
lusingando coaxing, in a sweet and persuasive style
mano destra, m.d. right hand
mano sinistra, m.s. left hand
misura measure (senza misura: without time)
ossia or, alternatively
* or P______| press….release the right pedal
piacevole pleasant
piangevole plaintive, in the style of a lament
pochettino, poch. rather, little
rinforzando, rf, rfz reinforcing
segue go straight on
smorzando, smorz. dying away in tone and speed
teneramente, tenerezza, tenderly, tenderness
tre cords release the left pedal on piano (literally ‘three strings’)
tosto swift, rapid (but often used as alternative to troppo)
una corda press the left pedal on piano (literally ‘one string’)
volante flying, fast
 Grade 5 (ABRSM) German Terms

aber but
Ausdruck expression
bewegt with movement, agitated
breit broad, expansive
ein a, one
einfach simple
etwas somewhat, rather
fröhlich cheerful, joyful
immer always
langsam slow
lebhaft lively
mässig at a moderate speed
mit with
nicht not
ohne without
ruhig peaceful
schnell fast
sehr very
süss sweet
traurig sad
und and
voll full
wenig little
wieder again
zart tender, delicate
zu to, too