Allegretto vivace

As Printed on a Score

A heading printed above the first system, sometimes with a form label such as Scherzo set beside or above it, and in force until the next tempo word. Vivace qualifies the character and liveliness more than it raises the Allegretto’s speed.

How Composers Use It

A lively Allegretto: light, quick-witted, crisply articulated, yet not as fast as Allegro vivace. It suits scherzo-like music that should sparkle without sounding hurried, especially in 2/4 where a faster heading would turn the chatter into a blur. Make the articulation do the work — staccato, accents, quick dynamic contrasts — rather than relying on the tempo word for energy.

Example

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat major, Op. 31 No. 3, second movement (Scherzo), m. 1: “Allegretto vivace”, with alternating p and sf in the first bars.

Related Terms