Avec feu

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff or over the voice, often where the tempo resumes after a slower passage. It sets a fiery character until the next character or tempo marking.

How Composers Use It

The French equivalent of con fuoco: energetic, ardent playing with strong accents and forward drive. Use it for passionate outbursts and vigorous dance music. Viardot sets it beside an a Tempo after a slow bar, so the fire coincides with the return to speed. Say separately whether you also want a faster tempo, since avec feu describes intensity first.

Example

Viardot, Bonjour mon cœur!, voice, m. 41: “avec feu”, with “a Tempo” in the same bar after “Lent” at m. 40; “retenez” follows at m. 43.

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