Andante, andante |

Italian, lit. – walking step, from andare – to go

1) A term denoting the calm, measured nature of music, the tempo of an ordinary, unhurried and not slow pace. Used since the end of the 17th century. Often used in conjunction with complementary terms, eg. A. mosso (con moto) – mobile A., A. maestoso – majestic A., A. cantabile – melodious A., etc. In the 19th century. A. gradually becomes the designation of the most mobile tempo from the entire group of slow tempos. Conventionally, A. is faster than adagio, but slower than andantino and moderato.

2) Name prod. or parts of a cycle written in the character A. There are those called A. slow parts of the cyclic. forms, solemn and funeral marches, processions, classical themes. variations, etc. Examples A.: slow parts of Beethoven’s sonatas for piano. NoNo 10, 15, 23, Haydn’s symphonies – G-dur No 94, Mozart – Es-dur No 39, Brahms – F-dur No 3, etc.

L. M. Ginzburg