Ziemlich langsam

As Printed on a Score

Printed as the heading of a song, movement or section, above the first bar of the voice or top staff; it holds until the next tempo word. Ziemlich means “rather”, so the heading sits between Langsam and Mäßig — a slow tempo that still moves.

How Composers Use It

One of the commonest headings in Schubert, Schumann and Brahms songs, roughly an Andante or a gentle Adagio. Its hedge is useful when the line carries long phrases that would stall at a true Langsam. Because it names a range rather than a pulse, the accompaniment pattern largely decides the speed; a metronome mark settles it when the figuration is sparse.

Example

Schumann, Dichterliebe, Op. 48, No. 12, “Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen”, voice, m. 1: “Ziemlich langsam.”; at m. 17 the voice part adds “langsamer”, at pp.

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