Gravement

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a tempo-and-character word, either as a heading or, more often in songs, as a manner word joined to another (gravement tendre; plus intense, gravement). It lasts for the passage it heads or until replaced.

How Composers Use It

Gravely, solemnly: the French counterpart of grave, carrying weight and seriousness as much as slowness. In Lili Boulanger’s songs it colours a phrase rather than setting a tempo — gravement tendre asks for tenderness with gravity. Use it as a heading only when the whole piece has that solemn weight; for a single phrase, avec gravité is the common alternative.

Example

Lili Boulanger, Clairières dans le ciel, “Par ce que j’ai souffert”, voice, m. 34: “gravement tendre”.

Related Terms