Tendre

As Printed on a Score

Printed above a vocal line or piano phrase at the point it applies, usually at p, alone or combined — joyeux et tendre, ému et tendre, gravement tendre. It lasts until the next character word; the adverb tendrement is used the same way.

How Composers Use It

Tendre asks for warmth and gentleness, an affectionate tone rather than a merely soft one. Singers colour the vowel and soften consonants; instrumentalists lighten attacks and shape the phrase lovingly. Its combinations are where it becomes precise: Boulanger’s gravement tendre is tenderness weighted with seriousness, Debussy’s joyeux et tendre is lighter. On loud or brilliant passages it contradicts the notes.

Example

Debussy, Ariettes oubliées, “Green”, voice, m. 36: “tendre” at p, two bars before “Encore plus retenu”.

Related Terms