Con moto
With motion, somewhat urgent.
What it means
Con moto means “with motion.” The phrase seldom stands alone but supplements a tempo word and shifts it upward: Andante con moto is noticeably more mobile than a plain Andante, Allegro con moto more urgent than a mere Allegro. What is meant is less a particular speed than an attitude — the music should not stand still but go forward.
Con moto is to be distinguished from mosso. Both belong to the same word family, but mosso (“moved”) describes the tempo reached, while più mosso asks for an increase compared with what precedes and meno mosso for a drawing back. Con moto, by contrast, colours the tempo word to which it is attached. It differs from animato, which means animation in expression, in that here the motion itself is meant.
In the notation
The phrase is written in italics after the tempo word above the first staff of a movement or section and becomes part of the movement's name. Because it changes the tempo noticeably, it is as important as the basic word when reading the heading — a frequently overlooked point.
Musical use
Con moto is especially widespread with slow tempo words, where it prevents the movement from becoming too heavy. In middle movements with a continuous accompaniment figure, it makes sure the figure flows instead of dripping. Also in movements of a striding character, for instance song-like or march-like ones, it keeps the basic motion going. With fast tempo words it appears less often, because there the motion is given anyway.
The marking often stands after andante. Schubert often puts andante con moto over slow movements.
Performance practice
Read the heading completely before you choose the tempo — the addition changes it more than its length would suggest. Test the tempo against the accompaniment: it should run, not stall. Avoid stretching every phrase; the motion arises from the steady pulse. And take care that “with motion” does not turn into haste: what is meant is a going forward, not a rushing to the goal.