conducting terms

ad libitum

free, tempo and phrasing at the discretion of the conductor

agitato

agitated

alberti bass

broken chord style

alla breve

cut time with the half note receiving the beat

allargando

slowing down

anacrusis

upbeat or pick-up

animato

spirited, animated

arco

using the bow of a string instrument as opposed to plucking or “pizzicato”

boca chuisa

literally “closed mouth,” humming

caesura

the “train tracks” all stop

calando

gradually diminishing

cantabile

in a singing style

col legno

using the wood of a bow on a string instrument

colla parte

following the soloist’s part especially with regard to tempo

con brio

vigorously, with fire

con sordino

with a mute, often muted strings

con moto

with motion

continuo

baroque accompaniment ensemble that typically includes a harpsichord or organ, and a bass instrument such as bass viol, cello, or basson

corno

horn

cor anglaise

english horn

da capo

literally at the head, go back to the beginning

dal segno

back to the sign

detache

detached style of bowing, changing direction on each note

down bow

pulling the bow of a string instrument

fermata

hold, at the director’s discretion

forzando/forzato/sforzando

sudden strong accent