Allegro

As Printed on a Score

The commonest heading word, printed above the staff at the start of a movement and usually qualified — Allegro con brio, Allegro ma non troppo, Allegro moderato, Allegro assai, Allegro molto. Mid-movement, an Allegro after a slow introduction or episode sets the tempo until the next tempo word; Più allegro and Meno allegro adjust it relative to what precedes.

How Composers Use It

Allegro is the workhorse tempo of Western music — most first movements, finales, and overtures are Allegro. Despite meaning "cheerful," it can serve any energetic mood: joyful, dramatic, agitated, triumphant. Pair it with character modifiers: Allegro con brio, Allegro appassionato, Allegro furioso.

Example

Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, first movement (Allegro con brio) — the famous four-note motif drives forward with relentless energy.

Related Terms