Molto

As Printed on a Score

Printed before or after the word it intensifies — “Molto Allegro”, “Allegro molto”, “ritard. molto”, “molto cresc.” — and lasts as long as that word does. Standing alone, “molto” usually continues a direction printed just before it, such as a crescendo broken across the line.

How Composers Use It

Molto amplifies whatever it modifies. It is the standard Italian intensifier in musical directions. Molto ritardando = slow down a lot. Molto crescendo = get much louder. Use it when the basic marking isn't enough.

Example

Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, second movement — Molto vivace, meaning very lively.

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