Molto espressivo

As Printed on a Score

Printed beside the dynamic under a melodic line, very often abbreviated molto espress. or molto espr., and sometimes attached to a tempo word in a heading (Moderato cantabile molto espressivo). It applies to the phrase or passage and lapses at the next character direction.

Abbreviations: molto espress., molto espr.

How Composers Use It

Molto espressivo asks for heightened expression — strongly shaped dynamics, freedom of timing within the phrase, an intensified tone. It is one of the commonest Romantic and later directions, so it loses force when overused; reserve it for the lines that must lead. Beethoven’s heading for Op. 110 shows it setting the character of a whole movement; Mahler pairs it with the German sehr ausdrucksvoll in his bilingual songs.

Example

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110, first movement, m. 1: “Moderato cantabile molto espressivo”, with “(sanft)” and con amabilità at the opening p.

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