Streng

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff, either alone as part of a character heading or in phrases such as streng im Takt and streng im Tempo, often in brackets. The tempo sense usually follows a free or yielding passage and holds until the next relaxing word (frei, zurückhaltend); the character sense colours the whole section it heads.

Also spelled: Streng im Takt, Streng im Tempo, streng im Zeitmaß

How Composers Use It

In its tempo sense it is the German composer’s way of forbidding rubato after a passage that invited it; Wagner and Schumann both use it so. In its character sense it asks for severity and restraint rather than speed: strict rhythm, firm articulation, no indulgence. Because the one word carries both meanings, add im Takt or im Tempo when you mean the beat.

Example

Mahler, Symphony No. 5, first movement (Trauermarsch): the opening heading includes “Streng. Wie ein Kondukt.” — stern, like a funeral procession — and “Streng im Tempo.” is printed again late in the movement.

Related Terms