A gradual increase in tempo, creating forward momentum and building excitement in the music. Unlike a sudden tempo change, accelerando creates a smooth transition that can heighten dramatic tension or propel the music toward a climax.
From Italian 'accelerare,' meaning 'to accelerate' or 'to quicken,' derived from Latin 'accelerare.' The term became standard in musical notation during the Classical period as composers sought more precise ways to indicate tempo modifications and expressive timing.
Accelerando is music's equivalent of a car speeding up on the highway—it creates an irresistible sense of momentum that pulls listeners forward! Rossini was the master of the operatic accelerando, using it in his famous crescendos to whip audiences into a frenzy, while Ravel's 'Bolero' uses a subtle accelerando over 15 minutes to create almost unbearable tension.
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