 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: madvax
Date: 2003-02-17 06:43
I'm having a friendly disagreement with a friend regarding the tempo in a Mozart duet. The piece is marked "Allegro Molto" and it is in 3/8.
My questions are: what tempo would you set your metronome, and would you count it one or three?
Thanks
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Author: William The Conqueror
Date: 2003-02-17 10:16
Don't have the music, nor my metronome at the computer, but I'd say 136 or (not too much) more, and in one-to-a-bar . . .sorry, measure. Cheers.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-02-17 12:57
I don't know the piece you are talking about. Is it an arrangment? The first step would be to try to find the original, and to find out exactly which tempo indication Mozart actually wrote.
Mozart was one of the most specific composers of his time regarding tempo indications. He used over 40 gradations of "Allegro" (eg. Allegro comodo, Allegro assai, Allegro maestoso, etc.) Molto Allegro (which is what Mozart usually wrote, rather than "Allegro Molto") is one of his fastest allegro tempi, approaching Presto.
3/8 also implies a faster tempo than 3/4 would have. 3/2 would be even slower still, relating to the sarabande. 3/4 was usually used in minuets, while 3/8 is the time sinature of the passepied, a very fast relative of the minuet. This would be beaten in one.
I wouldn't want to give an exact metronome mark, because you also need to be flexible according other factors such as acoustics, the fastest note values, etc. But a 3/8 Molto Allegro by Mozart should be played quite quickly indeed!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-02-17 13:13
Keep in mind that the translation of "Allegro" is "lively". So "Allegro Molto" is "very lively." If the piece sounds that way, then you are doing it right.
The metronome was not around in Mozart's day so it's better to go by the actual description and try to match the meaning of it.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-02-17 15:57
Duke Ellington (might) have said, "If (the tempo is reasonable and) it sounds good, it is good!!" Perhaps if Mozart had lived to a ripe old age, his "allegro" may have become slower. Seriously, however, I fail to accept that any composer living before the invention of the metronome, when indicating any tempo (adagio, lento, allegro, vivace, presto, prestissimo molto, whatever) had a specific tempo numeric setting in mind. Their tempo suggestions--while important and should always be considered in performance--were interpretive guidelines and are only relative at best. How fast do you play the third movt of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto?? I'll bet we all have our own (however relative) opinions.
I also, do not know the work which you are referring too. However, if it is marked "allegro molto" (fast, very) then take it at a lively tempo that will allow you and your partner to play the notes musically and accurately. If the result sounds good, then, "It is good." Good duetting.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-02-17 21:05
Keep in mind that the translations of Allegro is "lively" NOT "fast" although a piece often needs to have a quick tempo to sound lively.
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