Alla marcia

What it means

Alla marcia means “in the manner of a march” and calls for a march-like performance. What is meant is not a particular tempo but a character: a firm step, clear emphasis of the heavy beats, taut articulation, an even pulse without rubato.

The marking stands over sections that are not marches but are to sound like marches. In this it differs from the march as a genre: a march is a piece, alla marcia a performance instruction. Similarly built are alla polacca, alla breve and other phrases with alla, each of which points to a known manner.

To the march character belongs as a rule a duple metre, usually two or four quarters, and a clear division into sections of equal length.

In the notation

The phrase stands in italics above the staff at the beginning of the section concerned and holds until a new marking. Frequently it is added to a tempo word. Typical is its neighbourhood to dotted rhythms, accents on the heavy beats and an accompaniment that traces the alternation of bass and chord.

Musical use

The marking is used in variation movements in which a variation takes on the character of a march, in middle sections of larger movements, and in character pieces. In opera and oratorio it marks entrances and ceremonial scenes. It is also widespread in piano and teaching literature, because the march character is immediately intelligible to learners.

The instruction calls for a regular, striding pulse, clear emphasis of the heavy beats and terse articulation. It also stands in movements that are not marches proper, for instance in piano sonatas or symphonies, to indicate a march-like character. The tempo follows from the step, not from a metronome figure.

Performance practice

Hold the pulse unswervingly; a march tolerates no yielding at phrase endings. Emphasise the heavy beats clearly and keep the light ones short. Play dotted rhythms sharply rather than smeared. And see that the accompaniment carries without booming — the step should be firm, not heavy.