Zeit lassen

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff at a phrase that should be given room — often a cadence, a held note or a moment of text — and applying locally; a tempo, Tempo or the next tempo word restores the pulse.

How Composers Use It

“Take time”: a flexible, local broadening that leaves the amount to the performer, closer to rubato or a short ritenuto than to a new tempo. Mahler and Berg use it at single expressive moments, then let the tempo resume. It trusts the performer, so place it precisely and give the return to tempo just after.

Example

Mahler, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, No. 3, “Ich hab’ ein glühend Messer”, voice, m. 15: “Zeit lassen”, a bar after the piano’s “etwas zurückhaltend”, in a song headed “Schnell und wild”.

Related Terms