Au temps

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff where the original tempo resumes after a holding back or a free passage, in the same position as a tempo word. It cancels the preceding change at once and lasts until the next tempo marking.

How Composers Use It

A French equivalent of a tempo, though French scores more often write au mouvement, 1er mouvement or the Italian a Tempo itself. Use it immediately after a retenez, cédez or similar change, and make sure the tempo being restored is clear, since it means “back to the established tempo”, not a new speed. Satie’s plain-spoken French makes it a natural choice in his songs.

Example

Satie, 4 Petites mélodies, “Adieu”, voice, m. 11: “Au temps”, at f, with “retenir” in the next bar; the song opens “Modéré”.

Related Terms