In gehender Bewegung

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the first system as a tempo heading, alone or joined to another word (Mässig, in gehender Bewegung), and in force until the next tempo word. Beethoven prints it as a German gloss beside the Italian heading.

How Composers Use It

It pins andante to its literal sense, walking — a guard against the slow, heavy andante of later habit. Schubert heads “Gute Nacht”, the first song of Winterreise, Mässig, in gehender Bewegung, and the steady tread runs through the whole song. Use it when a steady pulse matters more than a speed, and qualify it (doch mit Ausdruck) if the walking must also sing.

Example

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a (“Les Adieux”), second movement (“Abwesenheit”), m. 1: “Andante espressivo” is printed with its German gloss, “In gehender Bewegung, doch mit Ausdruck”.

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