adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegretto—moderately quick tempo. slower than allegro but faster than andante
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
brio [I], con brio, brioso—vigor, vigorously, with fire
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
con [I,S]—with
intermezzo, intermedio [S], intermède [F], interlude, Entr'acte—music that is "inserted" (or "interpolated) between two musical entities of greater importance (e.g. movements, acts, verses, etc.). Often suggests music of a lighter character, entertaining contrast or even improvisation.
ma—but, however
marcia [I], alla marcia, marche [F], Marsch [G], march [E], marciale, marziale—march, in the manner of a march, e.g. duple meter at a moderate but deliberate pace in a manner which may be proud, grand, like a parade or a show of military bravado.
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
pastorale, pastoral—referring to the bucolic setting of shepherds, the countryside and an idealized relationship to nature
piano quintet—ensemble (work) for string quartet plus piano. One of the most grand chamber music forms. 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.
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
troppo [I], non troppo, trop [F]—too, too much. non troppo means "not too much". e.g. "Allegro ma non troppo" means fast, but not too much
Trout Quintet, Trout Instrumentation, Piano Quintet 'Trout'—A common term for the ensemble comprising violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano, named for one of the earliest and the most famous example: Schubert's quintet nicknamed "The Trout". The term is used to distinguish it from the more standard "piano quintet" comprising string quartet and piano. For an example predating Schubert, see Hummel. explore