Moderate

What it means

Mässig is the German equivalent of the Italian moderato and designates a medium tempo: neither slow nor fast, but in the middle. As with most German tempo markings, the emphasis lies on the attitude — the music should proceed measured and without urgency.

The word often stands not alone but in combinations such as “mässig bewegt” (moderately moving), “mässig schnell” (moderately fast), or “nicht zu mässig” (not too moderate). These additions shift the tempo noticeably and are as important when reading as the base word. It also occurs as a qualifier of another German tempo word and then corresponds to the Italian ma non troppo.

Compared with hingehend, which means a striding, mässig is more open: it says above all what should not be — no haste and no lingering.

In the notation

The word stands above the first staff of a movement or section, in German-language editions in place of an Italian tempo word. It can become the movement's name. Where an edition marks throughout in German, the placement results from the relation to the other markings of the same work.

Musical use

The marking is used in movements with an even basic motion, in song-like pieces, and in music that is to speak rather than press forward. In choral and song literature it is widespread, because a medium tempo keeps the text intelligible. Since the eighteenth century, German-speaking composers have deliberately used such designations in place of the Italian ones.

The marking often stands with an addition, such as “mäßig bewegt” or “mäßig langsam,” and is common in German Romantic scores.

Performance practice

Determine the tempo from the densest passage and from the longest phrase — both must be possible without rushing or dragging. Keep the pulse stable and shape through articulation and dynamics rather than through tempo changes. Watch for any addition before committing yourself; it often changes the tempo more strongly than the base word. And keep the performance rather plain: what is meant is a natural, unforced movement.