Vivamente

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff or under a keyboard part as an adverb of character, sometimes with a full stop (“Vivamente.”), at the start of a lively passage; it lasts until the next character or tempo word. It describes the animation of the delivery rather than fixing a new tempo.

How Composers Use It

Vivamente asks for liveliness: quick, alert articulation and a spirited manner, though as an adverb it modifies how rather than how fast. Liszt uses it within movements to brighten a passage without a formal tempo change, often with leggero or a soft dynamic, which shows it can be quick and light rather than loud. If you need an actual change of speed, use a tempo word such as più mosso or vivace.

Example

Liszt, Transcendental Étude No. 9 (“Ricordanza”), piano, m. 29: “Vivamente.” at pp, beside “dol., leggero.”

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