German musical glossary

Here is a musical glossary of German terms based on The AB Guide to Music Theory (Part 1), by Eric Taylor1. These are terms which you’ll often see in 19th century Romantic music written by German composers, such as Fanny Mendelssohn.

Term                                        Symbol (if appropriate)Definition
aber but
als than
am Frosch use the bow of a string instrument at the heel, ie the end held by the player
an der Spitze use the bow of a string instrument at the point, ie the end opposite to that held by the player
Ausdruck expression
bestimmt with decision, definite
bewegt with movement, agitated
breit broad, expansive
Dampfer mute
doch however, yet
ein a
einfach simple
Empfindung emotion, feeling
etwas somewhat, rather
feurig fiery
FlatterzungeFlzg.flutter-tonguing, a direction for wood-wind instruments
frei free
frisch vigorous
frohlich cheerful, joyful
gebunden joined
gehend at a stead speed, equivalent to andante
gesangvoll in a singing style, equivalent to cantabile
geschwind quick
immer always
innig heartfelt, sincere
kraftig strong
langsam slow, equivalent to adagio and lento
lebhaft lively, equivalent to vivace
Leid grief, pain
Leidenschaft passion
leise soft, gentle
lieblich lovely
lustig cheerful
massig at a moderate speed
mit with
munter lively
nach und nach gradually
nicht not
noch still, yet
ohne without
rasch quick
ruhig peaceful
schleppen, schleppend dragging
schnell fast
schwach weak
sehr very
stark strong
suss sweet
traurig sad
und and
viel much
voll full
vorgetragen brought out, prominent
wenig little
wieder again
zart tender, delicate
ziemlich moderately
zu to, too

References:

  1. The AB Guide to Music Theory, Part I – Taylor, Eric (abrsm.org)

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