Tempo Primo
Definition. The first (original) tempo — return to the tempo at the start of the movement or piece.
Detailed Explanation
Tempo primo (often abbreviated Tempo I or Tempo I°) instructs the performer to return to the very first tempo of the movement or piece. It is used after extended passages of tempo modification, often longer or more dramatic than what would warrant a simple ‘a tempo’.
The marking is especially common in pieces with multiple tempo sections — minuet-and-trio movements, scherzo-and-trio, ABA forms, character pieces with contrasting middle sections. After the contrasting section ends, ‘Tempo I’ restores the original speed of the A section.
In practice, ‘a tempo’ and ‘Tempo I’ overlap. ‘A tempo’ usually returns to whatever immediate tempo was in effect before the most recent modification; ‘Tempo I’ specifically returns to the opening tempo of the movement, which may be different.
Etymology
Italian, ‘tempo first’ — tempo + primo (‘first’), from Latin primus.
In Practice
Identify the opening tempo of the movement before the performance begins. When ‘Tempo I’ appears, recover that specific tempo, not just any reasonable speed.
Notable Examples
- Various — Most multi-section movements (ubiquitous in classical and Romantic repertoire)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
O que significa Tempo Primo em música?
The first (original) tempo — return to the tempo at the start of the movement or piece.
De onde vem a palavra Tempo Primo?
Italian, ‘tempo first’ — tempo + primo (‘first’), from Latin primus.
Como se executa Tempo Primo na prática?
Identify the opening tempo of the movement before the performance begins. When ‘Tempo I’ appears, recover that specific tempo, not just any reasonable speed.
Quais são as abreviaturas comuns de Tempo Primo?
Tempo Primo abrevia-se normalmente como tempo I.
Que termos musicais estão relacionados com Tempo Primo?
Termos relacionados: A Tempo, L'istesso Tempo.
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