Allegretto

Full Description

Allegretto is a tempo marking indicating a moderately fast, light pace — a shade slower and less forceful than allegro, but with more energy and forward motion than andante. The word is the diminutive form of allegro in Italian, suggesting a tempered or restrained version of that liveliness. In terms of metronome markings, allegretto generally falls between 112 and 120 beats per minute, though as with all tempo terms this is a guideline rather than a rule. The character of allegretto is notably lighter and more graceful than allegro. Where allegro can be driven and energetic, allegretto tends toward elegance and buoyancy. Beethoven famously used the marking for the second movement of his Seventh Symphony — a profoundly serious and somewhat mournful movement that generated debate among musicians and scholars about whether he truly intended a dance-like allegretto or something closer to a slow andante. The movement has become one of the most beloved in the orchestral repertoire, partly because of this ambiguity. Allegretto is common in the classical and early Romantic periods as a middle-ground tempo marking for movements that need more momentum than andante but less urgency than allegro. It suits light textures, transparent orchestration, and melodic material that should float rather than drive. For pianists, allegretto passages call for a lifted, nimble touch — fingers close to the keys, wrist relaxed, tone bright without being heavy. The lightness of the marking should inform every aspect of the performance, from articulation choices to pedalling.