"Allegro ben moderato"
According to Google Translate, a literal translation of "ben" from Italian to English is "well," so I'm left wondering exactly what the tempo directive "Allegro ben moderato" is supposed to mean (presently, I have it at 128 bpm). Thanks!
Comments
Wikipedia Allegro moderato – close to, but not quite allegro (116–120 bpm)
In reply to Wikipedia Allegro moderato –… by Shoichi
So just ignore the "ben"?
In reply to So just ignore the "ben"? by OlyDLG
The variation of some BMPs is discretionary. But wait and there will be a better answer (usually it's always like that) ;-)
In reply to So just ignore the "ben"? by OlyDLG
I would take "ben" to mean "quite" so I would translate this Quite moderately allegro which I would interpret to mean at the slower end of moderately allegro. The exact meanings of words like allegro have changed throughout the years. Anything that isn't an actual BPM is subject to individual preference.
In reply to I would take "ben" to mean … by mike320
Excellent, thanks.
The first word specifies the speed: Allegro => Fast or Happy / Cheerful
The second word indicates the type of speed: Moderato = Moderate
the middle word supports the second: ben => good, well, high
Means: well-Moderately Fast
How fast? : Maybe between allegro and moderato => 118 ?
Beethoven said, "The metronome is a silly gadget: you must know the tempi!"
Listen to the music-piece with different metronomes and you decide the best tempi. :)
Maybe with a cheerful / happy feeling and just moderato tempo? = 100 ?
In reply to The first word specifies the… by Ziya Mete Demircan
Strictly speaking "moderato" is the past participle of "moderare", to moderate. Then "ben(e)" is the adverb "well", so it means "Well-moderated allegro". Perhaps a better translation would be "restrained", as opposed to "allegro furioso" or similar, so it would mean "very restrained allegro". All this has to do with indicating the mood of the music, not representing mechanical speed directions. (Just what Beethoven said)
In reply to Strictly speaking "moderato"… by Imaginatorium
yes, many of the tempo terms is about feelings.