Allegro, allegro |

ital. – cheerful, happy

1) A term that originally meant (according to J. J. Kvanz, 1752) “cheerfully”, “alively”. Like other similar designations, it was placed at the beginning of the work, indicating the mood prevailing in it (see, for example, Symphonia allegra by A. Gabrieli, 1596). The theory of affects (see Affect theory), which was widely used in the 17th and especially in the 18th centuries, contributed to the consolidation of such an understanding of it. Over time, the term “Allegro” began to denote a uniform active movement, a mobile pace, conditionally faster than allegretto and Moderato, but slower than vivace and presto (a similar ratio of Allegro and presto began to be established in the 17th century). Found in the most diverse by the nature of music. prod. Often used with complementary words: Allegro assai, Allegro molto, Allegro moderato (moderate Allegro), Allegro con fuoco (ardent Allegro), Allegro con brio (fiery Allegro), Allegro maestoso (majestic Allegro), Allegro risoluto (decisive Allegro), Allegro appassionato (passionate Allegro), etc.

2) The name of a work or part (usually the first) of a sonata cycle written in the Allegro character.

L. M. Ginzburg

1) Fast, lively musical tempo.

2) Part of the classical dance lesson, consisting of jumps.

3) Classical dance, a significant part of which is based on jumping and finger techniques. All virtuoso dances (entrees, variations, coda, ensembles) are composed in the character of A. The special significance of A. as a lesson was emphasized by A. Ya. Vaganova.

Ballet. Encyclopedia, SE, 1981