Allegretto, allegretto |

Italian, reduce. by allegro

1) A term indicating the lively and graceful nature of the music, often with elements of dance. Found in the most diverse music product, embraces a wide range of tempos, from relatively slow (e.g. in Beethoven’s 9th piano sonata MM: quarter note = approx. 56) to fast (e.g. in Beethoven’s 2nd piano sonata MM: quarter note = approx. 160). Conventionally, A.’s tempo is considered slower than allegro, but faster than moderato.

2) Name prod. or parts of a cycle in character A. Minuets and finales (usually in the form of a rondo) of a sonata cycle are often written in this character, less often its first (pi. Sonata No. 28) or slow (Beethoven’s 7th symphony) movements.

References: Herrmann-Bengen J., Tempo markings, «Munich publications on music history», I, Tutzing, 1959.

L. M. Ginzburg