Some of the musical terms used in the original orchestra score for Brigadoon.
Mosso – Rapid. Meno mosso, less rapid. Piu mosso, more rapid.
Morendo – gradually dying away
Colla Voce – Follow the voice. A directive to the musican (normally accompanist) to perform the indicated passage in a free manner following the tempo and style of the solo performer.
L’istesso tempo – The same tempo. An indication in a composition that directs that the beat remains constant when the meter changes. In the case of 2/4 to 6/8, the meter is still counted with two beats per measure but the tempo or speed of the beat stays the same. All that has changed is the subdivision of the beat from the duplets of the 2/4 to the triplets of the 6/8.
Tenuto (ten.) – Tenuto can mean either hold the note in question its full length (or longer, with slight rubato) or else play the note slightly louder. In other words, the tenuto mark is sometimes interpreted as an articulation mark and sometimes interpreted as a dynamic mark. When it appears in conjunction with an accent mark, it is of course taken as an indication of articulation, and, conversely, when it appears in conjunction with a staccato mark, it is taken as an indication of a slight dynamic accent. When it appears by itself, its meaning must be determined by its musical context. In rudimental (drumline) drumming, the tenuto marking is traditionally interpreted by giving the marked note a slight accent or emphasis.
Lento – slow
Piu – More. Used with other terms, e.g. piu mosso, more motion.
Ancora – repeat
Ancora piu lento – Repeat more slow
Giocoso – playful
Strepitoso – boisterous
Mesto – sadly