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
What does Più Mosso mean in music?
More motion — a tempo somewhat faster than the preceding section.
Where does the word Più Mosso come from?
Italian, ‘more motion’ — più (‘more’, from Latin plus) + mosso (‘moved’).
How is Più Mosso performed 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.
What are common abbreviations for Più Mosso?
Più Mosso is commonly abbreviated as più mosso.
What musical terms are related to Più Mosso?
Related terms include: Meno Mosso, Accelerando, Stringendo.
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