Allegro con moto

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a heading; it governs until the next tempo word. Con moto may also appear alone or after other tempo words (Andante con moto, Moderato con moto).

How Composers Use It

Allegro with the emphasis on forward motion: flowing, moving on, rather than brilliant. It suits songs and lyrical movements where the line should not dawdle but should not sparkle like a virtuoso allegro either. It is a useful middle path between Allegretto and Allegro; add a metronome mark if the difference matters.

Example

Debussy, Cinq poèmes de Baudelaire, “Le Balcon”, voice, m. 1: “Allegro con moto”, a song that later turns to “Andante con moto” at m. 88.

Related Terms