Etwas langsam

As Printed on a Score

Printed as a heading at the start of a song or movement, sometimes beside an Italian word (Poco adagio); it holds until the next tempo word. As a heading it is an absolute tempo — “somewhat slow” — not a comparative like Etwas langsamer, which is measured against what came before.

How Composers Use It

Schubert’s favourite slow-but-moving heading — “Der Leiermann”, “Die Krähe”, “Im Dorfe” and “Der greise Kopf” all carry it — and Brahms uses it often. It asks for gravity without stasis, roughly a slow Andante. Do not confuse it with Etwas langsamer on the page: one sets a tempo, the other changes one.

Example

Schubert, Winterreise, D. 911, No. 24, “Der Leiermann”, voice, m. 1: “Etwas langsam” heads the cycle’s last song.

Related Terms