Piacevole

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a character word, at the start of a movement or section or after a tempo word (Allegro piacevole), and in force until the next character word. It describes manner only; tempo and dynamics come from the surrounding markings.

How Composers Use It

Piacevole asks for pleasantness: an easy, agreeable, good-humoured manner, lightly articulated and never pressed. It is less playful than scherzando and less refined than grazioso, closer to the amiable tone of amabile. Use it for music meant to charm without effort; it works against heavy textures and strong accents, so keep the scoring light.

Example

Elgar, Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20, first movement: the movement is headed “Allegro piacevole”.

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