Mäßig langsam

As Printed on a Score

Printed as a heading above the first bar, sometimes with an Italian equivalent (Andante moderato) beside it; it holds until the next tempo word. Older editions spell it mässig.

Also spelled: mässig langsam, massig langsam

How Composers Use It

A slow tempo kept within bounds — slower than Mäßig, not as slow as Langsam, roughly an Andante. Schubert and Cornelius use it for songs of gravity and reflection that still need a walking pulse. It is a good heading when a singer must sustain long lines without the accompaniment stopping still.

Example

Schubert, Greisengesang, D. 778, voice, m. 1: “Mässig langsam” heads the song.

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