Page:Essentials in Conducting.djvu/64

52 VARIATION IN TEMPOOur treatment of tempo thus far has taken cognizance of only the generalized tempo of the movement, and we have not discussed at all the much more difficult matter of variation in tempo. The more evident changes of this sort are indicated by the composer through such expressions as ritardando, accelerando, et cetera; and it may be well to give at this point a list of the commoner of these terms together with their meanings. Obviously, such indications are of two general types dealing respectively with increasing and decreasing speed, and we shall accordingly give the definitions in two classes:


 * A gradual acceleration accelerando affrettando stringendo poco a poco animato
 * A definitely faster tempo at once più allegro più presto più animato più mosso più tosto più stretto un poco animato


 * A gradual retard ritardando rallentando slentando
 * A definitely slower tempo at once più lento meno mosso ritenuto
 * A slower tempo combined with an increase in power largando allargando (literally, "becoming broad")