Vigoroso

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a character word, alone or within a heading (“Non troppo allegro, ma vigoroso e con moto”), at the start of a vigorous passage; it holds until the music changes character or a new tempo word appears. A forte is usually printed with it below the staff.

How Composers Use It

Vigoroso asks for vigour: strong, energetic attack and rhythm, firm bow strokes or touch, a robust rather than brilliant sound. It is close to energico and con vigore; risoluto stresses decision, vigoroso physical strength. Placed after ma, as in Quilter’s heading, it lets a moderate tempo keep its force, a useful way to say “not fast, but strong”.

Example

Quilter, “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”, from the Three Shakespeare Songs, Op. 6, voice, m. 1: “Non troppo allegro, ma vigoroso e con moto”; “vigoroso” alone returns in the piano at m. 36.

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