Allegro ma non troppo

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a movement or section heading, sometimes with a further qualifier (Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso); it governs until the next tempo word. In orchestral parts it is repeated at the head of each part.

How Composers Use It

Keeps allegro’s brightness while capping its speed, so detail, lyrical lines or a pastoral character can come through. It is a favourite of Beethoven, who used it for the Pastoral Symphony’s first movement and the opening of the Ninth. Because “not too much” is relative, a metronome mark helps; without one, performers tend to settle at a comfortable moderate allegro.

Example

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28, fourth movement: “Allegro ma non troppo”, the heading of the Rondo finale, which opens p.

Related Terms