Heimlich

As Printed on a Score

A character word printed at the head of a song or over a phrase, often paired with another (“Zart, heimlich”, “Lebhaft und heimlich”, “Heimlich, streng im Takt”). It colours the passage until another character word replaces it.

How Composers Use It

Secret, hushed, intimate — a quality of voice rather than a dynamic, though it implies quiet. It asks for a confiding tone, as if the music should not be overheard. Schumann and Brahms join it to tempo words, which shows that secrecy can be quick and nervous as well as still; add p or pp to fix the level.

Example

Schumann, Liederkreis, Op. 39, the second “In der Fremde”, voice, m. 1: “Zart, heimlich” heads the song, at p.

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