Dying away

What it means

Erlöschend (“extinguishing”) is a German performance marking and calls for taking the sound back until it disappears. The image of extinguishing means more than mere growing softer: the music should go out like a flame, gradually and without a sharp end.

In substance the word corresponds to the Italian smorzando or morendo. As with these, a drawing back of the tempo is often also meant, but this is not binding — whether only the dynamics or also the motion slackens follows from the context.

It differs from an ordinary decrescendo through the goal: the latter ends at a particular level, the extinguishing at the threshold of hearing. It differs from al niente, which names the same goal, through the overtone of going out, which also concerns the expression.

In the notation

The word stands above or below the staff at the point from which it applies, in German-language editions in place of an Italian marking. Often a decrescendo hairpin is added. The effect as a rule extends to the end of the section, for after an extinguishing a continuation in the same character seldom follows.

Musical use

The marking stands at the ends of movements and songs that are to die away, and in sections that withdraw into silence. In the song and piano literature of the nineteenth century it is widespread, often at the end of texts that deal with passing away. It is also frequently found in the postlude of a song, when the singing voice has already ended.

Performance practice

Divide the drawing back over the whole stretch and keep reserve for the last notes. Take care that the sound carries to the end; an extinguishing that turns into toneless silence seems like a break-off. Take time for the last note and do not cut it off but let it end. And keep the intonation exactly in view in the extreme quiet, for it is there that it first falls into danger.