Andante grazioso

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the first system as the heading of a movement, often a variation theme or a song-like piece, and in force until the next tempo word. In a set of variations it is the reference tempo; a variation with its own heading, such as Adagio or Allegro, departs from it.

How Composers Use It

A graceful walking pace, often in a lilting 6/8 or 3/4, with light accents and gently rounded phrases. It suits pastoral and dance-derived melodies, siciliano-like themes and songs whose charm lies in poise. Grazioso tells the player to avoid heaviness, so keep the accompaniment transparent and the ornaments neat rather than weighty; a thick texture under this heading works against it.

Example

Mozart, Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331, first movement, m. 1: “Andante grazioso” heads the 6/8 theme of the variations, marked p.

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