Mit Leidenschaft

As Printed on a Score

A heading word, printed above the first bar of a song or section, often with f below; in Schumann it stands alone as the song’s whole heading. It sets the character until a new heading or tempo word.

How Composers Use It

With passion: an intense, emotionally charged delivery, often implying a quick, forward-moving tempo. It colours dynamics, rubato and tone at once, so make sure the accompaniment leaves the singer room for that freedom. Pair it with a tempo word or metronome mark if the pace matters, since passion can be driven or broad.

Example

Schumann, Frauenliebe und Leben, “Ich kann’s nicht fassen, nicht glauben”, voice, m. 1: “Mit Leidenschaft.” heads the song, at f.

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