moderato

[ mod-uh-rah-toh ]

adjective

, Music.

1. moderate; in moderate time.

moderato

/ ˌmɒdəˈrɑːtəʊ /

adverb

1. at a moderate tempo
2. (preceded by a tempo marking) a direction indicating that the tempo specified is to be used with restraint

   allegro moderato

Word History and Origins

Origin of moderato¹

1715–25; < Italian < Latin moderātus moderate

Word History and Origins

Origin of moderato¹

C18: from Italian, from Latin moderātus; see moderate

Example Sentences

Even in this sonata, which includes nothing faster than an Allegro moderato, that was too much of a good thing.

From The Guardian

Well imagined and sustained, the strongly figured movement at the entrance of the contra-theme is somewhat quickened, but the first moderato again returns.

From Project Gutenberg

Despite its moderato tempo marking, the cool, stern first movement has restless energy and startling shifts of harmony, conveyed with articulate grace in this splendid performance.

From New York Times

After an opening Allegro moderato movement that conveys aspiration, blithe, frolicsome passages in the Scherzo assert mounting anticipation.

From New York Times

Mr. Biondi’s cadenzas in the concerto’s Allegro moderato and its Adagio were Haydnesque in their spirited quirkiness, and he added further twists to that of the Adagio when it was repeated as the evening’s encore.

From New York Times