Librement

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff or over a vocal line, often at the very start beside the tempo word (Lent, Librement), or as the adjective libre in assez libre, plus libre. It loosens the beat for the passage until a firmer marking — en mesure, a tempo, Tempo I — restores strict time.

Also spelled: libre

How Composers Use It

It invites rubato and speech-like timing: the performer may stretch and push within the phrase while keeping the overall pace you set. French composers use it where a text or a recitative-like line should lead the music. Name the anchor tempo alongside it and mark the return to strict time clearly, especially in ensemble writing, where a free part must eventually realign with the others.

Example

Boulanger, Clairières dans le ciel, “Demain fera un an”, voice, m. 1: “Librement”, beside the tempo “Lent” and the p and “résigné” that open the song.