Orchestral Vocabulary

Terms that may be found on the New England Conservatory conducting exam - written portion.

dolente, klagend

mournful

maestoso

majestic

cantabile

singing

dolce

sweet

pesante

heavy

marcato

marked

portato

semi-detached

tenuto

held

secco

dry

smorzando

dying away

morendo

fading away

rinforzando, verstärkt

reinforced

calando

diminishing

sotto voce

in a quiet voice

colla parte

follow the soloist

stringendo

pressing forward

rallentando

slowing down

senza/con sordino

without/with mute

col legno

with wood of the bow

ossia

other, optional passage

tenebroso

dark

solenne

solemn

spiccato

bouncing staccato

allegretto

fairly brisk pace

allegro

brisk pace

ritenuto

immediate reduction of spead

ritardando

gradual slowing of speed

rubato

temporary disregard of tempo

calando

gradual decreasing of speed and volume

con moto

with movement

giocoso

playful

sostenuto

sustained

ostinato

repeating musical idea or phrase