Hauptzeitmaß

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff, often in parentheses beside an Italian tempo word, at the point where the movement’s principal tempo begins or returns; it holds until the next tempo word.

Also spelled: Hauptzeitmass

How Composers Use It

Mahler’s way of naming the governing tempo of a movement — useful after an introduction in a different tempo, or after episodes that have moved away from it. It tells players this is the tempo the rest of the movement refers to. Pair it with a metronome mark if precision matters.

Example

Mahler, Symphony No. 5, Rondo-Finale, m. 24: “(Hauptzeitmass.)” beside “Allegro commodo.”, where the main Allegro begins after the opening bars.

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