scherzando

[ skert-sahn-doh, -san- ]

adjective

1. (a musical direction) playful; sportive.

scherzando

/ skɛəˈtsændəʊ /

adjective

1. to be performed in a light-hearted manner

noun

1. a movement, passage, etc, directed to be performed in this way

Word History and Origins

Origin of scherzando¹

First recorded in 1785–90; from Italian, gerund of scherzare “to joke”; scherzo

Word History and Origins

Origin of scherzando¹

Italian, literally: joking. See scherzo

Example Sentences

The two brought mystery and danger to the conspiratorial Allegro scherzando and prayerful tenderness to the Adagio, with just a hint of impatience simmering beneath the surface.

From New York Times

After a slow, mysterious opening passage the score becomes a mercurial scherzando.

From New York Times

The third movement, a Scherzando Vivace, became in the Emerson’s reading a strange, stylized alternation of halting indecision and headlong drive.

From New York Times

Nedda laughs uproariously at his confession, and with heartless sarcasm she quotes the scherzando music of the prospective play-scene, and says he must save his fine love-making for the stage.

From Project Gutenberg

This time-stands-still introduction breaks into a mysterious scherzando.

From New York Times