Energisch

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff, either as a heading joined to a tempo word (Rasch und energisch, Sehr energisch) or at the start of a passage inside a movement. A character word has no cancelling sign: it colours the music until a new tempo or character word replaces it.

How Composers Use It

The German counterpart of energico: decisive attacks, firm rhythm, no slackness — energy of intent rather than sheer loudness. It belongs to the German Romantic and early modern repertoire, where an Italian score would write energico. Pair it with a dynamic, since energetic playing can be quiet, and avoid stacking it on near-synonyms such as kräftig or entschieden, which say almost the same thing.

Related Terms