Beaucoup plus lent

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff at the bar where the new, much slower tempo begins, often after a dim. or molto rall. that leads into it. It holds until the next tempo marking — a Tempo, Tempo I, au mouvement — so it must be read against the tempo before it.

How Composers Use It

A relative marking that asks for a pronounced change, not a nuance: the music should feel clearly broader. Bizet uses it at turning points in his songs, where a section closes into reflection. Because the amount is open, a metronome mark helps; and if the slower tempo should arrive gradually, write the rall. first and let beaucoup plus lent confirm the arrival.

Example

Bizet, Feuilles d’album, “Adieux à Suzon”, piano, m. 126: “beaucoup plus lent.”, following “molto rall.” and “dim.” at m. 124.

Related Terms