Mascherando

Mascherando is a musical expression marking of Italian origin used to indicate that a passage should be played in a masked or veiled manner, evoking secrecy or masquerade. The term derives from maschera, mask, with the -ando gerund form. In performance, mascherando communicates that the sound should feel concealed or elusive, with restrained articulation, soft dynamics, and a sense of enigma.

Usage and interpretation: The marking appears in scores from various periods but remains relatively rare and non-standard. It is more common in instrumental music, especially piano and chamber works, where a mood of mystery or masquerade is desired. Composers may pair it with other expressive markings such as misterioso, espressivo, or scherzando to differentiate between mystery, concealment, and playfulness.

Interpretation and realization: There is no universal fixed realization; performers rely on the surrounding stylistic context, tempo, and touch to shape the effect. Some editions or editors offer guidance, describing the marking as “masked,” “veiled,” or “enigmatic.”

Relation to other terms: Mascherando is related to maschera and mascherata in contexts of disguise or performance drama; while misterioso signals mystery and scherzando signals playfulness, mascherando suggests a concealed or masked character within those moods.

See also: mascherata, maschera, misterioso, scherzando, Italian musical terms.