Wie vorhin

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff where an earlier tempo or manner resumes after a contrasting passage, often just after a ritardando; Wie vorher means the same. It refers to the passage immediately before the contrast, not necessarily to the opening, and lasts until the next tempo word.

Also spelled: wie vorher

How Composers Use It

Use it after a short episode when the music should pick up exactly where it left off; for the opening tempo, Wie zu Anfang or Tempo I is unambiguous. Because vorhin points only backwards in time, it becomes unclear after several changes — then name the tempo or reprint the metronome mark. The Italian equivalent is come prima.

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