Più crescendo

As Printed on a Score

Printed below the staff as più cresc., usually after an earlier cresc. that it intensifies, and sometimes extended to sempre più cresc. It continues until the louder dynamic it leads to.

Abbreviations: più cresc.

Also spelled: piu cresc., piu crescendo

How Composers Use It

A second stage of growth: the crescendo already under way should become stronger or steeper. It is the natural marking for a climax built in waves, where each new instruction raises the stakes. Make sure the first cresc. leaves room — if it already reached f, più cresc. needs ff or fff beyond it.

Example

Beethoven, Symphony No. 7 in A major, first movement, flute 1, m. 421: “più cresc.” in the coda, reaching ff two bars later.

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