a tempo

Definition: The Italian musical phrase a tempo (“to the tempo”) indicates a return to the original tempo after a speed-altering command such as accelerando or rallentando.


Also Known As:

• au mouvement (Fr)
• im Zeitmass (Ger)

Similar Commands Include:

• tempo I (or I°); tempo primo; come prima (It)
• premier mouvement (Fr)
• Haupttempo; erstes Zeitmass (Ger)

Pronunciation: Pronunciation: ah  tem'-poh









More Tempo Commands:

• andante
• common time
• meter
• a tempo di menuetto
• smorzando