Marziale
Martial, march-like.
What it means
Marziale is an Italian performance direction meaning "martial, march-like". It derives from Mars, the Roman god of war. It calls for a tight, even pulse, a firm touch and a determined, often ceremonial character.
Musical use
The marking appears above pieces or sections that recall a march, for instance in piano works, chamber music and orchestral pieces of the 19th and 20th centuries. It may also appear as alla marcia. Marziale should be distinguished from maestoso, which implies dignity and grandeur but does not require a march character, and from marcato, which denotes only an accented articulation.
Performance practice
With marziale, keep the pulse unyielding and play the beats clearly. Pay attention to dotted rhythms, which you play sharply and exactly, and to a strong but not harsh tone.