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adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
assai—very much. Intensifies the direction of its neighboring words, e.g. "allegro assai", very fast
canzona [I, F, E], canzone [I], canzon [I], canzona alla francese [I], canzon da sonar [I], canciona [S], canzoni [pl]—from the Italian word for "song" with several musical meanings, including a type of instrumental music from the 16th and 17th centuries originally derived from the French polyphonic song or "chanson." For solo or instrumental ensemble, the multi-part canzona featured elements of fugue and variation and eventually gave over to the early Baroque sonata such that the terms and genres became interwined for a period. The early title canzone da sonar (canzoni da sonare (pl)) (a song to be played vs. sung), likely contributed to the later term sonata. explore | wiki
capriccio, caprice, capriccioso, capricieux, capricieuse—a short character piece, typically in a humorous, fanciful, or playful manner. The concept juxtaposes the improvisatory free-form fantasy against the more formal, "serious" and logically "worked-out" sonata forms.Within a caprice, the range of expression may well include the serious and dark as well as demanding extraordinary technical skills such as a prelude or etude.
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
e [It]—and
ed [It]—and
espressivo [I], con espressione, expressif [F], con expresión [S]—expressive, with expression.with feeling
finale [I], final [F]—The final movement, sometimes explicitly titled thus
galliard [E], gagliarda [I], gagliarde [F], gallarda [S]—lively dance originating in the fifteenth century, generally in triple time, which was often coupled with and followed the stately pavan
moderato [I], moderamente, modéré [F], modérément [F]—moderately, at a moderate tempo, applying a touch of restraint to its related word(s), e.g. allegro moderato
molto [It]—very much
opus [L], opera[pl], Op., Opp, WoO, Op. posth—work, as in a work of art. For unique identification, publishers/composers often assign an "opus number", abbreviated as "Op." (e.g. Op. 1). A range of works by opus number, uses the plural "opp." (e.g. "Opp. 1-3"). A single opus number may refer to a collection of works (e.g. a set of quartets) giving rise to designations like "Op. 1, No. 4". For misc. works without opus numbers, "WoO" is often used (e.g."Without Opus"). Posthumously assigned numbers may use "Op. posth". Opus numbers may not precisely reflect chronology (publication vs. composition), can be erroneous, sparse or duplicative. Thus, the works of some historically important composers may use separate catalog numbers (e.g. Bach, Haydn, Schubert). See wiki
piano quintet, quintette à clavier [F], quintette pour piano et cordes [F], Klavierquintett [G], quinteto de piano [Sp], quintetto per pianoforte [I]—ensemble (work) for string quartet plus piano featuring some of the grandest chamber music masterworks and an enduring genre. For an extra rich sound, some piano quintets omit the 2nd violin and add a bass, comprising the complete four-part string section of the orchestra (see Trout Quintet/Instrumentation). Explore the piano quintet | wiki
quintet, quintette [F], quintett [G], quintetto [I]—an ensemble / work for 5 players, the typical examples being string quintet (with second viola or cello), piano quintet or woodwind quintet
sostenuto [I], soutenu [F], sostenido [S]—sustained, perhaps a bit slow
tranquillo [It], tranquille [F], tranquillement, tranquillamente [I]—tranquil, peaceful, soft
vivace—brisk, lively tempo faster than allegro