Allegro furioso

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as the heading of a movement or of a violent new section, and valid until the next tempo word. It is an uncommon heading; furioso more often appears on its own as a character word added at a climax within an existing tempo.

How Composers Use It

Furioso asks for wildness that borders on loss of control: violent accents, ferocious attack, often the extreme of the dynamic range. Because it is so strong, it loses force over long stretches; reserve it for an outburst or a coda where the music should feel as if it is breaking loose. If you want speed and fire without the sense of rage, con fuoco or agitato are more measured choices.

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