Calme

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff, either as the tempo heading itself (Calme) or joined to one (Lent et calme), or as a colour word mid-passage (lumineux et calme). As a heading it governs until a new tempo; mid-piece it lasts until the next character word. Calmé, calmed, is a different instruction: settle after a livelier passage.

How Composers Use It

Calme asks for stillness: an even, untroubled pulse, smooth tone, no urgency. French composers often let it stand as the whole tempo heading, trusting it to imply a slow-to-moderate pace — add a metronome mark if the exact speed matters. Its Italian cousins are calmo and calmato; un peu calmé after an agitated passage asks for a return to quiet.

Example

Chausson, Serres chaudes, Op. 24, “Lassitude”, voice, m. 1: “Calme” stands alone as the song’s heading.

Related Terms