alla breve

[ ah-luh brev-ey; Italian ahl-lah bre-ve ]

adverb

, Music.

1. using the half note as the basic time unit; 2/2 time. : 

alla breve

/ ˈælə ˈbreɪvɪ; ˈalla ˈbrɛːve /

noun

1. a musical time signature indicating two or four minims to a bar

adjective

1. twice as fast as normal

Word History and Origins

Origin of alla breve¹

1800–10; < Italian: in short time, accelerated. See brief

Word History and Origins

Origin of alla breve¹

C19: Italian, literally: (according) to the breve

Example Sentences

He indicates alla breve with 88 to the half.

From Project Gutenberg

He writes upon a sonata Presto, or even Prestissimo and alla breve, and plays it Allegro in 4-4 time.

From Project Gutenberg

Ask Herbeck in my name not to drag the tempi; the "Gloria," more especially, must be taken the more rapidly as it proceeds—the time to be beaten throughout alla breve.

From Project Gutenberg

All the editions are lento with alla breve.

From Project Gutenberg