Semplice
Definition. Simply — playing with simple, unaffected, unornamented character.
Detailed Explanation
Semplice is Italian for ‘simple’. As a performance direction it instructs the performer to play with simplicity — without affectation, without exaggeration, without ornamental flourishes. The character is direct, unadorned, sincere.
The marking is a deliberate counterweight to expressive excess. Where espressivo invites emotional shaping and rubato invites flexibility, semplice asks the performer to step back and let the music speak for itself. Simple phrasing, steady tempo, restrained dynamics, plain tone.
Semplice is paradoxically difficult. Stripping away expressive devices exposes the music in its essentials. Every interval, every rhythm, every phrase must stand on its own without performer ‘help’. The mark requires confidence in the music and discipline in the performer.
Etymology
Italian, ‘simple’, from Latin simplex (‘single, simple’).
In Practice
Resist the urge to ‘interpret’. Play the notes cleanly, with steady tempo and tasteful dynamics. The simplicity is the point. Less is more.
Notable Examples
- Tchaikovsky — Piano Concerto No. 1, second movement (Andantino semplice)
- Beethoven — Various (occasional semplice direction)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Semplice mean in music?
Simply — playing with simple, unaffected, unornamented character.
Where does the word Semplice come from?
Italian, ‘simple’, from Latin simplex (‘single, simple’).
How is Semplice performed in practice?
Resist the urge to ‘interpret’. Play the notes cleanly, with steady tempo and tasteful dynamics. The simplicity is the point. Less is more.
What musical terms are related to Semplice?
Related terms include: Tranquillo, Dolce, Tempo Giusto.
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