Espressivo

As Printed on a Score

Printed below the staff, usually as espress. or espr., often beside the dynamic (p espress., dolce espress.) at the start of a melodic phrase. It applies to that line, not the accompaniment, for the length of the phrase; molto espress. intensifies it. The French equivalent is expressif, the German ausdrucksvoll or mit Ausdruck.

Abbreviations: espr., espress., espress, espr, express.

Also spelled: expressivo

How Composers Use It

Espressivo (abbreviated espr.) gives the performer license to shape the phrase with extra feeling — slight rubato, dynamic shading, vibrato variation. Use it to highlight particularly emotional melodic lines. It is an invitation to bring personal expression to the written notes.

Example

Brahms marks espressivo on cello melodies throughout his chamber music — the Third Piano Quartet's slow movement cello solo is a prime example.

Related Terms