Più Mosso
Definition. More motion — a tempo somewhat faster than the preceding section.
Detailed Explanation
Più mosso, Italian for ‘more motion’, instructs the performer to speed up to a tempo somewhat faster than the previous section. Like meno mosso, it is a relative marking — più mosso means faster than what came immediately before, not faster in absolute terms.
The marking is common at moments of structural intensification. A composer might use più mosso to signal the entry of a new section, the start of a development, or a build toward climax. The new tempo is established immediately at the marking, not approached gradually as it would be with accelerando.
In practice, performers and editors sometimes interpret più mosso loosely — a small bump in tempo, perhaps 5–10% faster. Some scores include metronome marks alongside più mosso to fix the new tempo precisely.
Etymology
Italian, ‘more motion’ — più (‘more’, from Latin plus) + mosso (‘moved’).
In Practice
Establish the new tempo cleanly at the marking. Do not accelerate into it; più mosso is a step, not a curve. The amount of increase is judgment-dependent — usually 10–15%, sometimes more.
Notable Examples
- Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 6 (frequent più mosso indications)
- Mahler — Symphonies generally (extensive use in transitional passages)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Qué significa Più Mosso en música?
More motion — a tempo somewhat faster than the preceding section.
¿De dónde viene la palabra Più Mosso?
Italian, ‘more motion’ — più (‘more’, from Latin plus) + mosso (‘moved’).
¿Cómo se interpreta Più Mosso en la práctica?
Establish the new tempo cleanly at the marking. Do not accelerate into it; più mosso is a step, not a curve. The amount of increase is judgment-dependent — usually 10–15%, sometimes more.
¿Cuáles son las abreviaturas comunes de Più Mosso?
Più Mosso se abrevia normalmente como più mosso.
¿Qué términos musicales se relacionan con Più Mosso?
Términos relacionados: Meno Mosso, Accelerando, Stringendo.
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