Rasch

As Printed on a Score

Printed as a heading or at a new section, alone or in compounds (Rasch und unmutig, Ziemlich rasch, Nicht zu rasch); it holds until the next tempo word. Schoenberg often follows it with a metronome figure in parentheses.

How Composers Use It

Brisk and quick, with a sense of lightness and impulse that schnell lacks; Schumann, Wolf and Schoenberg use it often. It suits music driven by short figures or rapid declamation. Pair it with a character word when the mood is not obvious, and with a metronome mark if ensemble precision matters.

Example

Schumann, Myrthen, Op. 25, No. 6, “Setze mir nicht, du Grobian”, voice, m. 1: “Rasch”, with f in the next bar.

Related Terms