Più tranquillo

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff like a tempo word at the start of a new section, or within a longer direction (Poco più tranquillo; sempre più tranquillo). It holds until the next tempo word — Tempo I, a tempo, animato — and is often preceded by a rall.

Also spelled: piu tranquillo

How Composers Use It

Because tranquillity suggests a slower, steadier motion, più tranquillo is usually read as a gentle easing of tempo as well as of mood. If you want calm without slowing, say so, as Brahms does in the coda of his Second Symphony’s first movement after a ritard.: in tempo, ma più tranquillo. If you want a definite slowing, add meno mosso or a metronome mark, and plan the return to the main tempo.

Example

Brahms, Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73, first movement, flute 1, m. 485: “in tempo, ma più tranquillo”, after the strings’ “dim. molto”.

Related Terms