Und

As Printed on a Score

Joins two directions into one heading or running instruction — “Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch”, “Langsam und schwermütig” — and both halves last together until the next heading. Mid-passage a long direction may be spread word by word across bars (nach und nach schneller), so read the separated words as a single instruction.

How Composers Use It

German headings often pair a speed with a character (Langsam und mit Ausdruck) where Italian would write Adagio espressivo. The two halves should complement each other; if they pull against each other, aber or doch says so more honestly. More than two clauses strung together with und become hard to take in at a glance.

Example

Schumann, Kreisleriana, Op. 16, No. 2, m. 1: “Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch” — a feeling and a speed joined in one heading, at p.

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