Modéré

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a heading — Modéré, Très modéré, Modéré, sans lenteur — and occasionally mid-movement. Like Moderato it can stand alone or temper another word (Assez modéré). It lasts until the next tempo word; Au mouvement or 1er Mouvement restores it after a change.

Also spelled: modere

How Composers Use It

Debussy and Ravel use Modéré for movements that need measured grace. It often implies a certain detachment — the music moves at a comfortable pace without emotional extremes.

Example

Satie, “Je te veux”, voice, m. 1: “Modéré” heads the waltz-song.

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