Presto

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a heading — Presto, Presto con fuoco, Presto agitato, Presto ma non troppo — or mid-movement for a closing rush, often after an accelerando or stretto. Più presto and Prestissimo push further. Assai meno presto (much less fast) is how Beethoven heads the trio in the scherzo of his Seventh Symphony.

How Composers Use It

Presto is used for finales that need to blaze, perpetual-motion passages, or moments of extreme excitement. Writing well at Presto requires understanding what is physically possible for the performers — keep figurations idiomatic and avoid thick textures.

Example

Beethoven, Symphony No. 7 in A major, third movement, flute 1, m. 1: “Presto” heads the scherzo; it alternates twice with an “Assai meno presto” trio, and a third start of the trio is cut off by the Presto.

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