Mit Ausdruck

As Printed on a Score

Usually part of a heading joined to a tempo word (“Ziemlich langsam und mit Ausdruck”; “…doch mit Ausdruck”), or printed over a passage. It governs the movement or section it heads.

How Composers Use It

Mit Ausdruck asks for music that is shaped, not merely played: phrases that rise and fall, breath at their ends, weight on the expressive notes. As a heading it sets an intention for a whole movement, which is how Brahms uses it. For a single line, ausdrucksvoll or espressivo over that part is more targeted. Doch mit Ausdruck keeps a flowing tempo from turning neutral.

Example

Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem, first movement (“Selig sind, die da Leid tragen”), m. 1: the heading reads “Ziemlich langsam und mit Ausdruck”.

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