Italian Musical Terms Used in English

Italian Musical Terms Used In English

A great many musical terms are in Italian. This is because many of the most important early composers from the Renaissance to the Baroque period were Italian, and that period is when numerous musical indications were used extensively for the first time. (See also sheet music.)

Here are some of these expressions:


Italian term Literal translation Definition

Read more about Italian Musical Terms Used In English:  Musical Forms, Musical Instruments, Voices, Tempo, Dynamics - Volume, Moods, Musical Expression (general), Directions, Techniques, Roles, Criticism, Musical Direction

Famous quotes containing the words italian, musical, terms and/or english:

    Their martyred blood and ashes sow
    O’er all the Italian fields where still doth sway
    The triple tyrant; that from these may grow
    A hundredfold, who, having learnt thy way,
    Early may fly the Babylonian woe.
    John Milton (1608–1674)

    I think no woman I have had ever gave me so sweet a moment, or at so light a price, as the moment I owe to a newly heard musical phrase.
    Stendhal [Marie Henri Beyle] (1783–1842)

    Women have acquired equal place to man in society, but the double standard has really never been relinquished; certainly not by men. Modern man’s fear of passivity or of the active woman proves to be as eternal as modern woman’s struggle to come to terms with her femininity.
    Peter Blos (20th century)

    The American struggle for the vote was much more difficult than the English for the simple reason that it was much more easy.
    Rebecca West (1892–1983)